Emerging drugs for migraine treatment: an update.

Emerging drugs for migraine treatment: an update. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2018 Nov 28;: Authors: Lambru G, Andreou AP, Guglielmetti M, Martelletti P Abstract INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a very frequent and disabling neurological disorder. The current treatment options are old, generally poorly tolerated and not migraine-specific, reflecting the low priority of migraine research and highlighting the vast unmet need in its management. Areas covered: Advancement in the understanding of migraine pathophysiological mechanisms and identification of novel potentially meaningful targets have resulted in a multitude of emerging acute and preventive treatments. Here we review the known putative migraine pathophysiological mechanisms in order to understand the rationale of the most promising novel treatments targeting the Calcitonin-Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) receptor and ligand and the 5 hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1F receptor. Key findings on the phase II and phase III clinical trials on these treatments will be summarised. Furthermore a critical analysis on failed trials of potentially meaningful targets such the nitric oxide and the orexinergic pathways will be conducted. Future perspective will be outlined. Expert opinion: The recent approval of Erenumab and Fremanezumab is a major milestone in the therapy of migraine since the approval of triptans. Several more studies are needed to fully understand the clinical potential, long-term safety an...
Source: Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Expert Opin Emerg Drugs Source Type: research