Efficacy of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockers in reducing the number of monthly migraine headache days (MHDs): A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences 2021-08, Vol.427, p.117505-117505, Article 117505
• Main Authors: Masoud, Ahmed Taher, Hasan, Mohammed Tarek, Sayed, Ahmed, Edward, Harvey Nabil, Amer, Ahmed Mohamed, Naga, Abdelrahman Elshahat, Elfil, Mohamed, Alghamdi, Badrah S., Perveen, Asma, Ashraf, Ghulam Md, Bahbah, Eshak I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calcitonin gene-related peptide; Migraine; Network meta-analysis; Receptor blockers; Systematic review
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117505

The Global burden of disease study ranked migraine as the sixth most common disorder worldwide in 2016, with significant social and economic sequelae. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of different Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockers as potential pharmacological approaches and compare them to placebo using the systematic review (SR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) approach. We performed a computerized search of SCOPUS, PubMed, Cochrane central, and Embase databases through January 2019 and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were performed on episodic and chronic migraine patients who used Erenumab, Eptinezumab, Fremanezumab, or Galcanezumab. The combined analysis revealed that after six, eight, and twelve weeks of intervention, the medications with the most potent effects in comparison to placebo were Fremanezumab 900 mg, (SMD = −0.55, 95% CI [−0.97, −0.12]); Erenumab 140 mg, (SMD = −0.51, 95% CI [−0.61, 0.41]); and Erenumab 140 mg, (SMD = −0.48, 95% CI [−0.571, 0.39]), respectively. For chronic migraine patients, Fremanezumab 900 mg, Erenumab 140 mg, in addition to Erenumab 70 mg, were associated with the highest efficacy after 6, 8, and 12 weeks, correspondingly. The analysis of combined groups data (Chronic and Episodic) showed that Fremanezumab was the most effective drug after six weeks, where Erenumab was the most effective after 8 and 12 weeks. The current evidence retrieved from this NMA suggests that Fremanezumab was the most effective anti-migraine medication in decreasing MHDs per month after six weeks in both chronic and episodic patients. •Fremanezumab was the most effective anti-migraine medication from the family of the CGRP receptor blockers in decreasing migraines.•Erenumab was the most potent medication in the chronic migraine group.•The drug dose that had the most favorable outcomes was Fremanezumab 900mg.