scholarly journals The role of erenumab in the treatment of migraine

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175628642092711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna P. Andreou ◽  
Matteo Fuccaro ◽  
Giorgio Lambru

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been the first class of specifically developed preventive treatments for migraine. Clinical trials data suggest superiority of the CGRP mAbs to placebo in terms of prevention of migraine symptoms, migraine-specific quality of life and headache related disability. Treatment-related side effects overall did not differ significantly from placebo and discontinuation rate due to side effects has been low across the clinical trials, perhaps in view of their peripheral mode of action. Along with their route and frequency of administration, these novel class of drugs may constitute an improvement compared with the established arsenal of migraine treatments. Erenumab is a fully human antibody and the only mAb acting on the CGRP pathway by blocking its receptor. It is the first of the CGRP mAb class approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (May 2018) and the European Medicines Agency (July 2018). Erenumab exists in two different doses (70 mg and 140 mg) and it is administered with monthly subcutaneous injections. This review summarises erenumab pharmacological characteristics, clinical trials data, focusing on the potential role of this treatment in clinical practice.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 245
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Gklinos ◽  
Dimos D. Mitsikostas

Galcanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway by targeting the CGRP. Data from four phase-3 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials showed that galcanezumab is superior to placebo in reducing migraine headaches, migraine-specific quality of life, and headache-related disability. Most of the adverse events (AEs) were mild to moderate and did not affect trial completion rates significantly. Along with erenumab, fremanezumab, and eptinezumab, galcanezumab forms a novel class of anti-migraine preventative treatments that is disease-specific and mechanism-based, unlike the standard ones. In addition, galcanezumab has also been shown to be effective in cluster headache, though more clinical trials are required. Overall, galcanezumab is a promising emerging treatment in migraine prophylaxis. However, it needs to be tested in larger clinical trials focused on treatment-resistant migraine. Furthermore, its safety profile, especially its potential association with an increased cardiovascular risk, needs to be established through long-term, real-world data. This review aims to give an overview of its pharmacological properties as well as to report and discuss data from clinical trials and its potential place in headache therapeutics.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 743
Author(s):  
Marco Fidaleo ◽  
Stefano Tacconi ◽  
Carolina Sbarigia ◽  
Daniele Passeri ◽  
Marco Rossi ◽  
...  

Vitamin B12 (VitB12) is a naturally occurring compound produced by microorganisms and an essential nutrient for humans. Several papers highlight the role of VitB12 deficiency in bone and heart health, depression, memory performance, fertility, embryo development, and cancer, while VitB12 treatment is crucial for survival in inborn errors of VitB12 metabolism. VitB12 is administrated through intramuscular injection, thus impacting the patients’ lifestyle, although it is known that oral administration may meet the specific requirement even in the case of malabsorption. Furthermore, the high-dose injection of VitB12 does not ensure a constant dosage, while the oral route allows only 1.2% of the vitamin to be absorbed in human beings. Nanocarriers are promising nanotechnology that can enable therapies to be improved, reducing side effects. Today, nanocarrier strategies applied at VitB12 delivery are at the initial phase and aim to simplify administration, reduce costs, improve pharmacokinetics, and ameliorate the quality of patients’ lives. The safety of nanotechnologies is still under investigation and few treatments involving nanocarriers have been approved, so far. Here, we highlight the role of VitB12 in human metabolism and diseases, and the issues linked to its molecule properties, and discuss how nanocarriers can improve the therapy and supplementation of the vitamin and reduce possible side effects and limits.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yinxia Wang ◽  
Ligang Xing

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat cancer patients. Besides the curable effect, radiotherapy also could relieve the pain of cancer patients. However, cancer pain is gradually alleviated about two weeks after radiotherapy. In addition, cancer patients who receive radiotherapy may also suffer from pain flare or radiotherapy-induced side effects such as radiation esophagitis, enteritis, and mucositis. Pain control is reported to be inadequate during the whole course of radiotherapy (before, during, and after radiotherapy), and quality of life is seriously affected. Hence, radiotherapy is suggested to be combined with analgesic drugs in clinical guidelines. Previous studies have shown that radiotherapy combined with oxycodone hydrochloride can effectively alleviate cancer pain. In this review, we firstly presented the necessity of analgesia during the whole course of radiotherapy. We also sketched the role of oxycodone hydrochloride in radiotherapy of bone metastases and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Finally, we concluded that oxycodone hydrochloride shows good efficacy and tolerance and could be used for pain management before, during, and after radiotherapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-74
Author(s):  
Hafedh Fessi

After a decline at the end of 90’s, Home Hemodialysis recently found a second breath. This renewal doesn’t only concern France, but also the US and Western Europe (GB, Italy and Spain).Several studies confirm that low flux dialysat machines deliver adequate dialysis dose, based on high dialysat saturation and low daily ultrafiltration rate. Frequent sessions avoid long interdialytic interval. They also are easy to use, allow easier session management with more flexibility and mobility.Daily hemodialysis with low dialysat flux responds to new goals: improving quality of life reaching better cardiovascular parameters and reduce recovery time post dialysis.Better patient adhesion to the treatment with low flux dialysat machines allows a decrease in barriers to home memodialysis development.It gives a good opportunity today to improve dialysis quality. The role of patient care partner is determinant


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 376-376
Author(s):  
Rachel M Lee ◽  
Danielle K DePalo ◽  
Alexandra G Lopez-Aguiar ◽  
Mohammad Yahya Zaidi ◽  
Flavio G. Rocha ◽  
...  

376 Background: The prognostic value of pathologic variables is not consistent for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). We previously demonstrated a limited prognostic role of lymph node (LN) positivity in small bowel NETs (SBNET) compared to pancreatic NETs (panNET). Although minority race is often associated with worse cancer outcomes, the interaction of race with pathologic and oncologic outcomes of pts with GEP-NETS is not known. Methods: Pts with GEP-NETs who underwent curative intent resection at eight institutions of the US NET Study Group from 2000-16 were included. Given few pts of other races, only Black and White race pts were analyzed. Results: Of 2,182 pts, 1,143 met inclusion criteria. Median age was 58 yrs, median follow up was 3 yrs, 48% were male, 14% (n = 157) were Black, and 86% (n = 986) were White. Black pts were more likely uninsured (7 vs 2%, p = 0.005), had symptomatic bleeding (13 vs 7%, p = 0.006), required emergency surgery (7 vs 3%, p = 0.003), and had LN positive disease (47 vs 36%, p = 0.016). Despite this, Black pts had improved 5 yr recurrence free survival (RFS) compared to White pts (90 vs 80%, p = 0.008). The quality of care received was comparable between both groups, demonstrated by similar LN yield at surgery, neg margin resection rate, post-op complications, and need for reoperation or readmission (all p > 0.05). Black pts were more likely to have SBNET (22 vs 13%) and less likely to have panNET (43 vs 68%) compared to White pts (p < 0.001). Consistent with prior data, pts with LN pos panNET had decreased 5yr RFS (67 vs 83%, p = 0.001); however, for SBNET, LN involvement was not prognostic (77 vs 96%, p = 0.08). The prognostic value of LN pos disease was similar between Black and White pts in both SBNET (p = 0.34) and panNET (p = 0.95). Conclusions: Black pts with GEP-NET present with more advanced disease, including higher LN positivity. Despite this, Black pts have improved RFS compared to White pts. Although there may be delays in seeking or reaching care, Black pts received similar quality of care compared to White pts. The improved RFS seen in Black pts may be attributed to the epidemiologic differences in the site of presentation of GEP-NETs and variable prognostic value of LN pos disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang-Ta Yen ◽  
Yu-Chan Hsu ◽  
Jaung-Geng Lin ◽  
Ching-Liang Hsieh ◽  
Yi-Wen Lin

Background The mechanisms underlying fibromyalgia (FM) pain are not understood. The US Food and Drug Administration has recommended three drugs for treating FM—namely, pregabalin, duloxetine and milnacipran; however, these medications are associated with severe side effects. Objective To create a mouse model of FM pain using dual injections of acidic saline to cause mechanical hyperalgesia and test whether ASIC3, Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 are involved in this process and whether electroacupuncture (EA) can reverse these phenomena. Methods The FM model was established by injecting acidic saline twice into 40 ICR mice. The mice were assigned to subgroups (n=8 each) treated with different EA frequencies (2, 15 and 50 Hz). ASIC3, Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 expression levels were measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results Significant mechanical hyperalgesia was induced on day 8 in FM mice, which was reversed by 2, 15 and 50 Hz EA. ASIC3, Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 protein levels increased significantly in both the dorsal root ganglion and in the spinal cord of FM model mice. These changes were further attenuated by 2, 15 and 50 Hz EA. Conclusion Reduced nociceptive ASIC3, Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 proteins are involved in the preventive effects of EA against FM, and this series of molecules may represent targets for FM treatment.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Zalpour ◽  
Michael H. Kroll ◽  
Vahid Afshar-Kharghan ◽  
Syed Wamique Yusuf ◽  
Carmen Escalante

The association between cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been well documented in the literature. Prevention and treatment of VTE in cancer patients is imperative. Typically, the mainstay regimen for VTE prevention and treatment has been anticoagulation therapy, unless contraindicated. This therapy consists of unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), factor Xa inhibitor, or vitamin K antagonist (VKA). Current guidelines recommend LMWH over VKA for the treatment of VTE in cancer patients. Factor-specific anticoagulants have been proven safe and effective, and recently factor Xa inhibitors have emerged as a treatment alternative to heparins and VKA. Currently, three factor Xa inhibitors have been identified: fondaparinux (the only one approved so far by the US Food and Drug Administration), idraparinux (in clinical trials), and idrabiotaparinux (in clinical trials). This paper will examine the role of these agents, focusing on fondaparinux, for the prevention and treatment of VTE in cancer patients.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Schröder ◽  
Kathrin Beckmann ◽  
Giovanna Franconi ◽  
Gesa Meyer-Hamme ◽  
Thomas Friedemann ◽  
...  

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN) has a relevant impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. There are no curative conventional treatments, so further options have to be investigated. We conducted a systematic review in English and Chinese language databases to illuminate the role of medical herbs. 26 relevant studies on 5 single herbs, one extract, one receptor-agonist, and 8 combinations of herbs were identified focusing on the single herbsAcorus calamus rhizoma,Cannabis sativa fructus,Chamomilla matricaria,Ginkgo biloba,Salvia officinalis,Sweet bee venom,Fritillaria cirrhosae bulbus,and the herbal combinations Bu Yang Huan Wu, modified Bu Yang Huan Wu plus Liuwei Di Huang, modified Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Wan,Geranii herbaplusAconiti lateralis praeparata radix, Niu Che Sen Qi Wan (Goshajinkigan), Gui Zhi Jia Shu Fu Tang (Keishikajutsubuto), Huang Qi Wu Wu Tang (Ogikeishigomotsuto), and Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang(Shakuyakukanzoto). The knowledge of mechanism of action is still limited, the quality of clinical trials needs further improvement, and studies have not yielded enough evidence to establish a standard practice, but a lot of promising substances have been identified. While CIPN has multiple mechanisms of neuronal degeneration, a combination of herbs or substances might deal with multiple targets for the aim of neuroprotection or neuroregeneration in CIPN.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazareth ◽  
Jones ◽  
Gabrielli

The poor selectivity of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens causes severe side-effects in patients and reduces the quality of life during treatment. Targeting cancer-specific vulnerabilities can improve response rates, increase overall survival and limit toxic side effects in patients. Oncogene-induced replication stress serves as a tumour specific vulnerability and rationale for the clinical development of inhibitors targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) kinases (CHK1, ATR, ATM and WEE1). CHK1 inhibitors (CHK1i) have served as the pilot compounds in this class and their efficacy in clinical trials as single agents has been disappointing. Initial attempts to combine CHK1i with chemotherapies agents that enhance replication stress (such as gemcitabine) were reported to be excessively toxic. More recently, it has emerged that combining CHK1i with subclinical doses of replication stress inducers is more effective, better tolerated and more compatible with immunotherapies. Here we focus on the lessons learned during the clinical development of CHK1i with the goal of improving the design of future clinical trials utilizing DDR inhibitors to target replication stress in cancer.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 241-241
Author(s):  
Anitra Engebretson ◽  
Lynn Matrisian ◽  
Cara Thompson

241 Background: In 2014, 46,420 patients (pts) in the US will be diagnosed with PC, and only 6.7% are expected to survive ≥ 5 years after diagnosis. Enrollment in clinical trials is recommended to improve pt outcomes. Methods: Funded by Celgene, PanCAN developed a 25-minute survey and distributed it online between 7/30/13 and 9/18/13 to pts with PC or caregivers whose loved ones were alive or had died of PC within the past 6 months. Results: Respondents included 184 pts (81 with metastatic PC) and 213 caregivers (145 for pts with metastatic PC). Pts and caregivers answered similarly with a few exceptions. Quality of life (QoL), extending survival, and symptom management were the 3 most important issues to all respondents. Caregivers placed statistically significantly more emphasis on QoL and managing symptoms vs pts (88% vs 71% and 68% vs 33%, respectively). A total of 196 respondents reported that Tx options were not offered at diagnosis, and 20% of these respondents stated that Tx options were never discussed with an MD. Most pts (95%) followed their doctors’ Tx recommendation, and 83% received chemotherapy. Almost half of respondents (49%) reported that their MD never discussed clinical trials; of those that did, oncologists (52%) were the primary source used to learn about possible clinical trial participation, followed by caregivers (16%) and loved ones (13%).Twelve percent of pts enrolled in clinical trials (> the US average of 4.6%; J Clin Oncol 31:3432-3438). Forty-eight percent of respondents were aware of the Pt and Liaison Services (PALS) program, a support service from PanCAN. PALS-aware respondents were more likely than others to report that the pt had undergone chemotherapy (89% vs 78%), surgery (64% vs 41%), or radiation (47% vs 32%) and more likely to state that the pt followed a Tx recommendation because it was the best/most realistic option (19% vs 11%). PALS-aware pts also participated more often in clinical trials (15% vs 9%). Conclusions: These results underscore the importance of discussing Tx options, clinical trials, and support services with pts. Such steps could increase Tx and enrollment in clinical trials, possibly improving QoL, survival, and symptom management.


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