If at first you don’t succeed, try another CGRP antibody for migraine prevention?

Limited evidence supports switching

Professor Pozo-Rosich argued that there is an absence of evidence, from clinical trials and real-world experience to suggest any benefit can be derived from a second calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) therapy following failure of the first treatment. One recent report refers to successful switching in 3 patients.¹ Part of the issue may be due to a lack of precision on definition of treatment failure. Failure of a migraine preventive may be indicated by a lack of efficacy due to persistent headache, or a lack of tolerability due to unbearable side effects.

Cyclical nature of migraine impacts response

The cyclical nature of migraine may impact on the ability to accurately measure the effect of preventives on migraine frequency. The CaMEO study of 6,000 patients identified wide variability in the frequency of both episodic and chronic migraine.² Thus, the cyclical nature of disease may give false responders and non-responders to treatment. It may be that initial non-responders need 3 to 6 months of treatment before an effect is established.

Initial non-responders to migraine preventives may need 3 to 6 months of treatment before an effect is established

Benefit of a second CGRP therapy in practice?

In counterargument, Professor Charles reasoned that switching is common and justified with other classes of medications used to treat pain and migraine including NSAIDs, triptans and beta-blockers, so why not try with these new therapies? Within the class of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting CGRP, there are now four antibodies approved with different properties that may confer different clinical responses. The CGRP mAbs vary in antibody type, CGRP target (receptor or peptide), route of administration (intravenous or subcutaneous injection), half-life (range 21 to 32 days) and approved indications (episodic or chronic migraine, cluster headache).³

Professor Charles shared his experience at the UCLA clinic in treating around 2,500 migraine patients, which indicates that clinical experiences vary between the antibodies, both for therapeutic and adverse effects. Differences in effect can be measured as migraine frequency and severity, duration of action, and tolerance.

The potential for a ‘life changing’ response with CGRP antibodies for migraine prevention is high compared with other available therapies

In discussion, the Professors agreed that there is a growing body of evidence showing that therapeutic approaches targeting CGRP have the potential to transform the clinical management of migraine.^3-5 All CGRP antibodies are found to be effective and the efficacy of treatment in real life exceeds that from clinical trials in terms of reduced monthly migraine and headache days, reduced use of acute medication, and improved quality of life. The CGRP antibodies are also effective in patients who have previously failed multiple preventives. Nonetheless, much can still be learned about appropriate prescribing in practice.

We want to give our patients the best possible chance to have a better quality of life