Changes in patient functioning and disability: results from a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating galcanezumab for chronic migraine prevention (REGAIN)

Abstract Purpose To evaluate secondary outcomes including changes in functioning and disability associated with galcanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to calcitonin gene-related peptide, in patients with chronic migraine. Methods Patients randomly received galcanezumab (120 mg n = 278, 240 mg n = 277) or placebo (n = 558) during 3 months of double-blind treatment, followed by a 9-month open-label extension. The Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire v2.1 (MSQv2.1) measured the impact of migraine on patient functioning. The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) quantified headache-related disability. Changes from baseline were analyzed with mixed model repeated measures or analysis of covariance. Results Total MSQ score at baseline was 44.88 ± 18.02 (mean ± SD), indicating significant functional impairment. At Month 3, least squares (LS) mean change ± SE in total MSQ for galcanezumab-treated patients were 20.51 ± 1.49 (120 mg) and 20.49 ± 1.49 (240 mg), both statistically significantly greater vs placebo-treated patients (14.55 ± 1.21; both P < 0.001). Total MIDAS score at baseline was 67.24 ± 57.31 (mean ± SD). At Month 3, LS mean change ± SE from baseline in total MIDAS for galcanezumab-treated patients was statistically significantly greater than placebo for 120 mg group (placebo: − 11.53 ± 3.38 vs 120 mg: − 20.27 ± 4.07; P < 0.05) but not for 240 mg group (− 17.02 ± 4.05). At Month 12, within-group mean changes from baseline for total MSQ (28.56 ± 1.19 previous placebo; 29.53 ± 1.51 previous 120 mg; 25.83 ± 1.49 previous 240 mg) and MIDAS scores (− 28.47 ± 2.95 previous placebo; − 31.47 ± 3.69 previous 120 mg; − 31.13 ± 3.62 previous 240 mg) were statistically significant (P < 0.001) for the open-label treatment population regardless of previous double-blind treatment assignment. Conclusions Galcanezumab-treated patients with chronic migraine reported statistically significant improvements in functioning and disability, representing a clinically significant change. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov registry: NCT02614261. Registered 25 November 2015.

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Impact of a 12-week open-label placebo treatment on headache days in episodic and chronic migraine: a study protocol for a parallel-group, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045969 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e045969

Author(s):

Katharina Schmidt ◽

Julian Kleine-Borgmann ◽

Dagny Holle-Lee ◽

Charly Gaul ◽

Ulrike Bingel

Keyword(s):

Chronic Migraine ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Placebo Treatment ◽

Ethics Committee ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Open Label ◽

Parallel Group ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

The Impact

IntroductionMigraine is the most common neurological disorder and one of the major causes of years lived with disability. Its treatment (especially of chronic forms) is often challenging and accompanied with adverse effects. Although new therapeutic approaches have recently emerged (eg, calcitonin gene-related peptide antibodies), these are linked to strict prescribing guidelines and therefore limited to only a minority of patients. Recently, randomised controlled trials have demonstrated that open-label placebo treatments can lead to significant and clinically relevant improvements of chronic pain conditions.Methods and analysisThis multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial following a parallel group between-subject design aims to systematically investigate the impact of a 12-week open-label placebo treatment on moderate to severe headache days (primary outcome) in patients with episodic and chronic migraine in addition to treatment as usual. Secondary outcomes comprise the number of migraine days, pain intensity, intake of acute medication, quality of life, disability, global impression of change, tolerability and a responder rate. To systematically address potential predictors of placebo responses in patients with migraine, this study assesses potential psychometric predictors, salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase awakening responses, catechol-o-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphisms, as well as functional and structural brain connectivity (ie, resting state functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging). The data analysis will be performed on basis of the general linear model considering repeated measures (mixed model).Ethics and disseminationThis protocol and all corresponding documents were approved with regard to their content and compliance with ethical regulations by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of the University Duisburg-Essen, Germany and the Ethics Committee of the Landesärztekammer Hessen. The results from this study will be actively disseminated through manuscript publications and conference presentations.Trial registration numberGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021259).

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Impact of Galcanezumab on Total Pain Burden: Findings From Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Patients with Episodic or Chronic Migraine (EVOLVE-1, EVOLVE-2, and REGAIN Trials)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-60145/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Ailani ◽

J Scott Andrews ◽

Mallikarjuna Rettiganti ◽

Robert A Nicholson

Keyword(s):

Chronic Migraine ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Migraine Headache ◽

Pain Severity ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Total Pain ◽

Maximum Pain ◽

The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND: Focus on the frequency of migraine pain may undervalue the total burden of migraine as pain duration and severity may present unique, additive burden. A composite measure of total pain burden (TPB; frequency, severity, and duration) may provide a more comprehensive characterization of pain burden and treatment response in patients with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM). The impact of galcanezumab versus placebo on TPB among patients with EM or CM was analyzed.METHODS: Patients from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled episodic (two 6‑month studies pooled) and chronic migraine (3-month) studies received once-monthly subcutaneous injection of galcanezumab 120 mg or placebo. A post hoc analysis of TPB for a given month was calculated as severity-weighted duration by multiplying duration (hours) and maximum pain severity (0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe) of migraine for each day and summing these over the days in a month. Least square mean change from baseline in monthly TPB across Months 1-6 (EM, N=444 galcanezumab, N=894 placebo) and Months 1‑3 (CM, N=278 galcanezumab, N=558 placebo) were compared using a mixed-model repeated measures model. Correlation of the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) to TPB at baseline was assessed.RESULTS: At baseline, the duration of migraine on a given migraine headache day accounted for the greatest unique proportion of variability (EM, 57.4% and CM, 61.1%) to TPB after adjusting for frequency of migraine headache days and maximum pain severity. The decrease from baseline in monthly TPB was greater with galcanezumab than placebo for patients with EM (68.6 versus 36.2) and CM (102.6 versus 44.4). The average percent reduction of TPB from baseline was significantly greater with galcanezumab compared with placebo in patients with EM (50.8% versus 17.2%) and CM (29.7% versus 11.0%). In patients with EM and CM, TPB correlated with MSQ total score (r=‑0.35 and r=‑0.37) and MIDAS (r=0.34 and r=0.32).CONCLUSIONS: Greater reduction in TPB was seen in patients with EM and CM treated with galcanezumab 120 mg once-monthly injection relative to placebo. Discussing TPB supports patient-centric conversations regarding treatment expectations when clinicians are evaluating options for migraine prevention.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: #NCT02614183 (I5Q-MC-CGAG; EVOLVE-1), #NCT02614196 (I5Q‑MC‑CGAH; EVOLVE-2), and #NCT02614261 (I5Q-MC-CGAI; REGAIN) – all 3 trials were registered on 23 November 2015.

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Impact of galcanezumab on total pain burden: findings from phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with episodic or chronic migraine (EVOLVE-1, EVOLVE-2, and REGAIN trials)

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-020-01190-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Ailani ◽

J. Scott Andrews ◽

Mallikarjuna Rettiganti ◽

Robert A. Nicholson

Keyword(s):

Chronic Migraine ◽

Migraine Headache ◽

Pain Severity ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Link Type ◽

Total Pain ◽

Maximum Pain ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Focus on the frequency of migraine pain may undervalue the total burden of migraine as pain duration and severity may present unique, additive burden. A composite measure of total pain burden (TPB; frequency, severity, and duration) may provide a more comprehensive characterization of pain burden and treatment response in patients with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM). The impact of galcanezumab versus placebo on TPB among patients with EM or CM was analyzed. Methods Patients from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled episodic (two 6-month studies pooled) and chronic migraine (3-month) studies received once-monthly subcutaneous injection of galcanezumab 120 mg or placebo. A post hoc analysis of TPB for a given month was calculated as severity-weighted duration by multiplying duration (hours) and maximum pain severity (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) of migraine for each day and summing these over the days in a month. Least square mean change from baseline in monthly TPB across Months 1–6 (EM, N = 444 galcanezumab, N = 894 placebo) and Months 1–3 (CM, N = 278 galcanezumab, N = 558 placebo) were compared using a mixed-model repeated measures model. Correlation of the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) to TPB at baseline was assessed. Results At baseline, the duration of migraine on a given migraine headache day accounted for the greatest unique proportion of variability (EM, 57.4% and CM, 61.1%) to TPB after adjusting for frequency of migraine headache days and maximum pain severity. The decrease from baseline in monthly TPB was greater with galcanezumab than placebo for patients with EM (68.6 versus 36.2) and CM (102.6 versus 44.4). The average percent reduction of TPB from baseline was significantly greater with galcanezumab compared with placebo in patients with EM (50.8% versus 17.2%) and CM (29.7% versus 11.0%). In patients with EM and CM, TPB correlated with MSQ total score (r = − 0.35 and r = − 0.37) and MIDAS (r = 0.34 and r = 0.32). Conclusions Greater reduction in TPB was seen in patients with EM and CM treated with galcanezumab 120 mg once-monthly injection relative to placebo. Discussing TPB supports patient-centric conversations regarding treatment expectations when clinicians are evaluating options for migraine prevention. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: #NCT02614183 (I5Q-MC-CGAG; EVOLVE-1), #NCT02614196 (I5Q-MC-CGAH; EVOLVE-2), and #NCT02614261 (I5Q-MC-CGAI; REGAIN) – all 3 trials were registered on 23 November 2015.

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Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with olaparib in combination with abiraterone.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2019.37.7_suppl.234 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (7_suppl) ◽

pp. 234-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Noel W. Clarke ◽

Antoine Thiery-Vuillemin ◽

Pawel J. Wiechno ◽

Boris Alekseev ◽

Nuria Sala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Short Form ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Brief Pain Inventory ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Rank Test ◽

Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽

Double Blind ◽

The Impact

234 Background: A Phase II trial showed that addition of olaparib (O) to abiraterone (A) led to significant radiographic progression-free survival benefit for patients (pts) with mCRPC vs placebo (P) + A (hazard ratio [HR] 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44–0.97). We report predefined exploratory HRQoL analyses. Methods: This randomized, double-blind trial enrolled pts with mCRPC, post-docetaxel. Pts were randomized (71 per arm) to receive either O (300 mg bd, tablets) + A (1000 mg od) or P + A; all received prednisone (5 mg bd). Pts completed Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P total score [TS]; range 0–156, higher score = better HRQoL), Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form (BPI-SF) and worst bone pain (wbp) questionnaires (both range 0–10, higher score = more severe pain). Adjusted mean change from baseline was analysed using a mixed model for repeated measures, improvement by logistic regression and deterioration by log-rank test. Results: Overall compliance rates (O + A vs P + A) were 97% vs 96%, 92% vs 85%, and 96% vs 92% for FACT-P, BPI-SF and wbp, respectively. Best FACT-P TS response of ‘improved’ (increase ≥6 points from baseline at two consecutive visits) was reported by 22/67 (33%) evaluable pts in the O + A vs 18/64 (28%) pts in the P + A arm; the odds ratio (1.32; 95% CI 0.64–2.78) favored the O + A arm. Best FACT-P TS response of ‘worsened’ (decrease ≥6 points from baseline) was reported by 15 (22%) vs 22 (34%) pts. Adjusted mean change from baseline in FACT-P TS across all visits was -0.60 vs -2.09 in the O + A and P + A arms, respectively (difference 1.48; 95% CI -3.96–6.92). Time to deterioration (TTD) results are shown in the table. Clinical trial information: NCT01972217. Conclusions: Whilst not statistically significant, in this study a higher percentage of pts treated with O + A vs P + A had improved HRQoL, with fewer pts negatively affected. Ongoing phase III studies will help elucidate the impact of O on HRQoL in pts with mCRPC. (NCT01972217)[Table: see text]

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Impact of Galcanezumab on Total Pain Burden: Findings From Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Patients with Episodic or Chronic Migraine (EVOLVE-1, EVOLVE-2, and REGAIN Trials)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-60145/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Ailani ◽

J Scott Andrews ◽

Mallikarjuna Rettiganti ◽

Robert A Nicholson

Keyword(s):

Chronic Migraine ◽

Migraine Headache ◽

Pain Severity ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Total Pain ◽

Monthly Injection ◽

Maximum Pain ◽

The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Focus on the frequency of migraine pain may undervalue the total burden of migraine as pain duration and severity may present unique, additive burden. A composite measure of total pain burden (TPB; frequency, severity, and duration) of migraine may provide a more comprehensive characterization of pain burden and treatment response in patients with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM). The impact of galcanezumab 120 mg once-monthly injection versus placebo on TPB among patients with EM or CM was analyzed. METHODS Patients from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled episodic (6-month) and chronic migraine (3-month) studies received once-monthly subcutaneous injection of galcanezumab 120 mg once-monthly or placebo. Total pain burden for a given month was calculated as severity-weighted duration by multiplying duration (hours) and maximum pain severity (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) of migraine for each day and summing these over the days in a month. Least square (LS) mean change from baseline in monthly TPB across Months 1–6 (EM) and Months 13 (CM) were compared post hoc using a mixed-model repeated measures model. Correlation of the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) to TPB at baseline was assessed. RESULTS At baseline, the duration of migraine on a given migraine headache day accounted for the greatest unique proportion of variability (EM, 57.4% and CM, 61.1%) to the TPB after adjusting for frequency of migraine headache days and maximum pain severity. The LS mean decreases from baseline in monthly TPB across months were greater with galcanezumab than placebo for patients with EM (68.6 versus 36.2) and CM (102.6 versus 44.4). The average percent reduction of TPB from baseline was significantly greater with galcanezumab compared with placebo in patients with EM (50.8% versus 17.2%) and CM (29.7% versus 11.0%). Total pain burden in patients with EM and CM correlated with MSQ total score (r = 0.35 and r=-0.37) and MIDAS (r = 0.34 and r = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS Greater reduction in TPB was seen in patients with EM and CM treated with galcanezumab 120 mg once-monthly injection relative to placebo. Discussing TPB supports patient-centric conversations regarding treatment expectations when clinicians are evaluating options for migraine prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: #NCT02614183 (I5Q-MC-CGAG; EVOLVE-1), #NCT02614196 (I5QMCCGAH; EVOLVE-2), and #NCT02614261 (I5Q-MC-CGAI; REGAIN) – all 3 trials were registered on 23 November 2015.

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OnabotulinumtoxinA improves quality of life and reduces impact of chronic migraine over one year of treatment: Pooled results from the PREEMPT randomized clinical trial program

Cephalalgia ◽

10.1177/0333102416652092 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (9) ◽

pp. 899-908 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Richard B Lipton ◽

Noah L Rosen ◽

Jessica Ailani ◽

Ronald E DeGryse ◽

Patrick J Gillard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Migraine ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Open Label ◽

Double Blind ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Related Quality ◽

Prophylaxis Therapy ◽

Clinical Trial Program

Background Chronic migraine (CM) is associated with high impact and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods Patients with CM from PREEMPT (Phase 3 REsearch Evaluating Migraine Prophylaxis Therapy) were randomized (1:1) to receive onabotulinumtoxinA or placebo for two 12-week cycles in the double-blind (DB) phase, followed by three 12-week cycles of open-label (OL) onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotulinumtoxinA/onabotulinumtoxinA (O/O) and placebo/onabotulinumtoxinA (P/O) groups, respectively). HRQoL endpoints were assessed over 56 weeks using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ). HIT-6 score reductions ≥2.3 and ≥5 denoted between-group minimally important difference and within-patient clinically meaningful response, respectively. Results A total of 1236 participants (O/O, n = 607; P/O, n = 629) participated in both phases. The DB phase showed significantly reduced HIT-6 and MSQ for onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo (all p < 0.001). The OL phase showed significantly reduced HIT-6 for O/O versus P/O at weeks 28, 36, and 48, but not 56. All three MSQ domains showed improved HRQoL relative to baseline, but only the role restrictive domain showed a significant difference between O/O and P/O at week 56. Conclusions Benefits of onabotulinumtoxinA on HRQoL versus baseline persisted throughout the OL phase. Statistical superiority in favor of O/O was demonstrated for HIT-6 through 48 weeks and for MSQ (role restrictive) at 56 weeks.

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Investigating the Impact of Cognitive Training for Individuals With Bothersome Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599821994742 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 019459982199474

Author(s):

Maggie Xing ◽

Dorina Kallogjeri ◽

Jay F. Piccirillo

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Functional Index ◽

Open Label ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Impact

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive training in improving tinnitus bother and to identify predictors of patient response. Study Design Prospective open-label randomized controlled trial. Setting Online. Methods Participants were adults with subjective idiopathic nonpulsatile tinnitus causing significant tinnitus-related distress. The intervention group trained by using auditory-intensive exercises for 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. The active control group trained on the same schedule with non–auditory intensive games. Surveys were completed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results A total of 64 participants completed the study. The median age was 63 years (range, 25-69) in the intervention group and 61 years (34-68) in the control group. Mixed model analysis revealed that within-subject change in Tinnitus Functional Index in the intervention group was not different than the control group, with marginal mean differences (95% CI): 0.24 (–11.20 to 10.7) and 2.17 (–8.50 to 12.83) at 8 weeks and 2.33 (–8.6 to 13.3) and 3.36 (–7.91 to 14.6) at 12 weeks, respectively. When the 2 study groups were compared, the control group had higher Tinnitus Functional Index scores than the intervention group by 10.5 points at baseline (95% CI, –0.92 to 29.89), 8.1 at 8 weeks (95% CI, –3.27 to 19.42), and 9.4 at 12 weeks (95% CI, –2.45 to 21.34). Conclusion Auditory-intensive cognitive training was not associated with changes in self-reported tinnitus bother. Given the potential for neuroplasticity to affect tinnitus, we believe that future studies on cognitive training for tinnitus remain relevant.

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Efficacy of galcanezumab in patients with migraine who did not benefit from commonly prescribed preventive treatments

BMC Neurology ◽

10.1186/s12883-021-02196-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dulanji K. Kuruppu ◽

Joshua Tobin ◽

Yan Dong ◽

Sheena K. Aurora ◽

Laura Yunes-Medina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Migraine Headache ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Preventive Treatment ◽

Response Rates ◽

Toxin A ◽

Double Blind ◽

Preventive Medication ◽

Onabotulinum Toxin A ◽

Post Hoc

Abstract Background Galcanezumab is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibody (mAb) indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine. While galcanezumab has demonstrated efficacy in patients who did not respond to prior preventive medications in general, its efficacy in patients who did not benefit from individual, commonly prescribed preventive treatments due to inadequate efficacy or safety/tolerability remains unknown. Methods CONQUER was a 3-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3b study that enrolled patients with episodic or chronic migraine who had 2 to 4 migraine preventive medication category failures in the past 10 years. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive placebo (N = 230) or galcanezumab 120 mg/month (240 mg loading dose; N = 232). Post hoc analyses were conducted to determine the efficacy of galcanezumab in patients who had not benefited from six of the most commonly prescribed migraine preventive medications. The mean change from baseline in monthly migraine headache days and ≥ 50 % response rates were assessed over months 1–3. Improvement in Migraine-Specific Questionnaire Role Function-Restrictive (MSQ-RFR) scores were assessed at month 3. The endpoints were estimated via mixed model with repeated measures. Results The most common treatment failures due to inadequate efficacy or safety/tolerability, which at least 20 % of patients reported trying without benefit, included topiramate, amitriptyline, propranolol, valproate or divalproex, onabotulinum toxin A, and metoprolol. Patients who had not previously benefited from these treatments had a greater mean reduction in monthly migraine headache days across months 1–3 in the galcanezumab group compared to placebo (all p < 0.01). More patients treated with galcanezumab experienced a ≥ 50 % reduction from baseline in monthly migraine headache days across months 1–3 compared to placebo (all p < 0.05). Galcanezumab-treated patients had a greater improvement in mean MSQ-RFR scores at month 3 compared to placebo (all p < 0.01). Conclusions In this population, galcanezumab was effective in reducing monthly migraine headache days, improving response rates, and enhancing quality of life in patients who had not previously benefited from topiramate, amitriptyline, propranolol, valproate or divalproex, onabotulinum toxin A, and/or metoprolol due to inadequate efficacy or safety/tolerability. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03559257 (CONQUER).

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Efficacy and safety of fremanezumab in patients with episodic and chronic migraine with documented inadequate response to 2 to 4 classes of migraine preventive medications over 6 months of treatment in the phase 3b FOCUS study

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-021-01279-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Messoud Ashina ◽

Joshua M. Cohen ◽

Maja Galic ◽

Verena Ramirez Campos ◽

Steve Barash ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Migraine ◽

Medication Use ◽

Episodic Migraine ◽

Inadequate Response ◽

Open Label ◽

Double Blind ◽

Moderate Severity ◽

Preventive Medication ◽

Open Label Extension ◽

Acute Headache

Abstract Background Fremanezumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG2Δa) selectively targets the calcitonin gene-related peptide and has proven efficacy for the preventive treatment of migraine. In this study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of monthly and quarterly fremanezumab. Methods Episodic migraine and chronic migraine patients completing the 12-week double-blind period of the FOCUS trial entered the 12-week open-label extension and received 3 monthly doses of fremanezumab (225 mg). Changes from baseline in monthly migraine days, monthly headache days of at least moderate severity, days of acute headache medication use, days with photophobia/phonophobia, days with nausea or vomiting, disability scores, and proportion of patients achieving a ≥50% or ≥75% reduction in monthly migraine days were evaluated. Results Of the 807 patients who completed the 12-week double-blind treatment period and entered the open-label extension, 772 patients completed the study. In the placebo, quarterly fremanezumab, and monthly fremanezumab dosing regimens, respectively, patients had fewer average monthly migraine days (mean [standard deviation] change from baseline: − 4.7 [5.4]; − 5.1 [4.7]; − 5.5 [5.0]), monthly headache days of at least moderate severity (− 4.5 [5.0]; − 4.8 [4.5]; − 5.2 [4.9]), days per month of acute headache medication use (− 4.3 [5.2]; − 4.9 [4.6]; − 4.8 [4.9]), days with photophobia/phonophobia (− 3.1 [5.3]; − 3.4 [5.3]; − 4.0 [5.2]), and days with nausea or vomiting (− 2.3 [4.6]; − 3.1 [4.5]; − 3.0 [4.4]). During the 12-week open-label extension, 38%, 45%, and 46% of patients, respectively, achieved a ≥50% reduction and 16%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, achieved a ≥75% reduction in monthly migraine days. Disability scores were substantially improved in all 3 treatment groups. There were low rates of adverse events leading to discontinuation (<1%). Conclusion Fremanezumab demonstrated sustained efficacy up to 6 months and was well tolerated in patients with episodic migraine or chronic migraine and documented inadequate response to multiple migraine preventive medication classes. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03308968 (FOCUS).

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