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Galcanezumab Effects on Migraine Severity and Symptoms in Japanese Patients with Episodic Migraine: Secondary Analysis of a Phase 2 Randomized Trial

Igarashi H, Shibata M, Ozeki A, Matsumura T

Neurology and therapy, 2023

269 participants · 16 citations

Abstract

Introduction Galcanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against calcitonin gene-related peptide, is a preventive migraine treatment. In global, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, galcanezumab reduced migraine headache severity and the frequency of migraine headaches associated with nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia, prodromal symptoms, or aura. We report secondary analyses from a Japanese phase 2 trial that assessed the effect of galcanezumab on migraine headache severity, frequency of migraine-associated symptoms, and frequency of migraine headaches during menstrual periods in Japanese patients with episodic migraine. Methods Adults with migraine (International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition; 4–14 migraine headache days/month) were randomized (2:1:1) to a monthly placebo ( n = 230), 120 mg galcanezumab (240 mg loading dose; n = 115), or 240 mg galcanezumab ( n = 114) for 6 months (double-blind). Patients recorded migraine headache days, severity, and symptoms in an electronic diary. Changes from baseline were analyzed (mixed model for repeated measures). Results Both galcanezumab doses significantly reduced the number of monthly moderate-to-severe and severe migraine headache days compared with placebo, overall (difference in least-squares mean change from baseline, 120 mg/240 mg versus placebo: moderate-to-severe, −1.9/−1.8 days; severe: −0.4/−0.4 days) and in each month; mean severity score was significantly reduced in the 240…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a secondary / pooled analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 269 participants or records.

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