A research group led by Lecturer Tsubasa Takizawa of Keio University has clarified the long-term efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-related antibody drugs for migraine patients in Japan.
Migraine is a common condition in Japan, with a prevalence of 8.4%, and is often considered a headache that significantly disrupts daily life. Since 2021, CGRP-related antibody drugs have been available as a preventative measure to suppress migraine attacks. CGRP is a substance that is highly expressed in the trigeminal nervous system, which controls sensation in the head, and acts on CGRP receptors expressed in vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation and inflammatory responses. CGRP-related antibody drugs act on CGRP or its receptors with subcutaneous injections once a month, or once every three months depending on the formulation, and are expected to suppress migraine attacks.
This study analyzed clinical data from 150 migraine patients who started treatment with CGRP-related antibody drugs at Keio University Hospital between August 2021 and February 2023, and examined the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of patients who continued treatment. As a result, the number of migraine days per month tended to decrease from the start of treatment, and after 6 months, 54% of patients and after 1 year, 52% of patients had reduced the number of migraine days to less than half of the number before treatment. Improvements were also observed in aura symptoms such as scintillating scotoma, hypersensitivity to light and sound, and accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
Regarding side effects, injection site reactions were observed in 25% of patients after 6 months and in 11% after 1 year. On the other hand, when patient satisfaction was compiled, it was found that 92% of patients were satisfied with the treatment after 6 months and 94% after 1 year.
In the future, the field of migraine is expected to see the emergence of new treatments such as oral medications targeting CGRP receptors, intravenous formulations of CGRP-related antibody drugs, and neuromodulation (cutting-edge treatments that adjust nerve function using electrical stimulation, etc.). The introduction of these diverse new treatments is expected to further expand treatment options for migraines, even for patients who have not previously received sufficient relief.
