Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists are a class of drugs that act as antagonists of the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPR). [1]
Several monoclonal antibodies that bind to the CGRP receptor or peptide have been approved for prevention of migraine. [2] Nerve activation triggers the release of CGRP and other neuropeptides, leading to inflammation, pain, and swelling. Three small molecule CGRPR antagonists are approved in the U.S. as antimigraine agents. [3] [4] [5] Drugs of this class have also been investigated for use in osteoarthritis. [6]
A study has found botox effective against necrotizing fasciitis caused by S. pyogenes in mice. [20] Its mechanism of action is by blocking CGRP receptor of nerve cells, which trigger intense pain and activate CGRP cascade, which prevents the immune system attacks to control the pathogen. [21] Botox blocks the CGRP cascade of nerve cells. [22]
As of 2018, erenumab, brand name Aimovig, was approved in the U.S. for use for migraines. It interacts by blocking the CGRP receptor. [23] As of 2018, fremanezumab, brand name Ajovy, was approved in the U.S. for use for migraines. It interacts with the CGRP protein expressed during an attack. [24] The third approved treatment, as of 2018, galcanezumab, brand name Emgality, was approved in the U.S. for use in migraines. It also interacts with the protein. [25]
As of February 2020, eptinezumab (Vyepti) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraine via intravenous infusion as well. [26]
Three small-molecule antagonists have been approved for treatment of migraine: ubrogepant, rimegepant, and atogepant. [4] [3] [5] Ubrogepant and rimegepant are approved for acute treatment. [4] [3] Atogepant and rimegepant are approved for preventative treatment. [5] [3]
Migraine is a genetically-influenced complex neurological disorder characterized by episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, most often unilateral and generally associated with nausea and light and sound sensitivity. Other characterizing symptoms may include vomiting, cognitive dysfunction, allodynia, and dizziness. Exacerbation or worsening of headache symptoms during physical activity is another distinguishing feature.
Sumatriptan, sold under the brand name Imitrex among others, is a medication used to treat migraine headaches and cluster headaches. It is taken orally, intranasally, or by subcutaneous injection. Therapeutic effects generally occur within three hours.
Neurogenic inflammation is inflammation arising from the local release by afferent neurons of inflammatory mediators such as Substance P, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA), and endothelin-3 (ET-3). In such neurons, release of these pro-inflammatory mediators is thought to be triggered by the activation of ion channels that are the principal detectors of noxious environmental stimuli. In particular, the heat/capsaicin receptor TRPV1 and the irritant/wasabi receptor TRPA1. TRPA1 channels stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may also cause acute neurogenic inflammation. Once released, these neuropeptides induce the release of histamine from adjacent mast cells. In turn, histamine evokes the release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide; thus, a bidirectional link between histamine and neuropeptides in neurogenic inflammation is established.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a member of the calcitonin family of peptides consisting of calcitonin, amylin, adrenomedullin, adrenomedullin 2 (intermedin) and calcitonin‑receptor‑stimulating peptide. Calcitonin is mainly produced by thyroid C cells whilst CGRP is secreted and stored in the nervous system. This peptide, in humans, exists in two forms: CGRP alpha, and CGRP beta. α-CGRP is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide and is formed by alternative splicing of the calcitonin/CGRP gene located on chromosome 11. β-CGRP is less studied. In humans, β-CGRP differs from α-CGRP by three amino acids and is encoded in a separate, nearby gene. The CGRP family includes calcitonin (CT), adrenomedullin (AM), and amylin (AMY).
Antimigraine drugs are medications intended to reduce the effects or intensity of migraine headache. They include drugs for the treatment of acute migraine symptoms as well as drugs for the prevention of migraine attacks.
Telcagepant (INN) is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist which was an investigational drug for the acute treatment and prevention of migraine, developed by Merck & Co.
Preventive treatment of migraine can be an important component of migraine management. The goals of preventive therapy are to reduce the frequency, painfulness, and/or duration of migraine attacks, and to increase the effectiveness of abortive therapy. Another reason to pursue prevention is to avoid medication overuse headache (MOH), otherwise known as rebound headache, which can arise from overuse of pain medications, and can result in chronic daily headache. Preventive treatments of migraine include medications, nutritional supplements, lifestyle alterations, and surgery. Prevention is recommended in those who have headaches more than two days a week, cannot tolerate the medications used to treat acute attacks, or those with severe attacks that are not easily controlled.
Zucapsaicin (Civanex) is a medication used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee and other neuropathic pain. Zucapsaicin is a member of phenols and a member of methoxybenzenes. It is a modulator of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV-1), also known as the vanilloid or capsaicin receptor 1 that reduces pain, and improves articular functions. It is the cis-isomer of capsaicin. Civamide, manufactured by Winston Pharmaceuticals, is produced in formulations for oral, nasal, and topical use.
Olcegepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist being studied as a potential treatment for migraines.
Rinat Neuroscience Corporation was a privately held biotechnology company that discovered and developed antibody-based drugs, including:
Eptinezumab, sold under the brand name Vyepti, is a medication used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) alpha and beta. It is administered by intravenous infusion.
Galcanezumab, sold under the brand name Emgality, is a humanized monoclonal antibody used for the prevention of migraine. It is also used for the treatment of cluster headaches.
Erenumab, sold under the brand name Aimovig, is a medication which blocks the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPR) for the prevention of migraine. It is administered by subcutaneous injection.
Rimegepant, sold under the brand name Nurtec ODT among others, is a medication used for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and the prophylactic/ preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. It is taken by mouth to dissolve on or under the tongue. It works by blocking CGRP receptors.
Fremanezumab, sold under the brand name Ajovy, is a medication used to prevent migraines in adults. It is given by injection under the skin.
Ubrogepant, sold under the brand name Ubrelvy, is a medication used for the acute (immediate) treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. It is not indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine. Ubrogepant is a small-molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist. It is the first drug in this class approved for the acute treatment of migraine.
Peter GoadsbyFRS FRACP FRCP is an Australian neuroscientist who is Director of the National Institute for Health Research - Wellcome Trust King’s Clinical Research Facility and Professor of Neurology at King's College London. His research has focused particularly on the mechanism and alleviation of migraine and cluster headaches.
Atogepant, sold under the brand name Qulipta among others, is a medication used to prevent migraines. It is a gepant, an orally active calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist.
The amylin receptors (AMYRs) are heterodimers of the calcitonin receptor that are bound to by amylin with high affinity and consist of AMY1, AMY2, and AMY3. Amylin mimetics that are agonists at the amylin receptors are being developed as therapies for diabetes and obesity, and one, pramlintide, has been FDA approved. The AMY1 receptor may be activated by both amylin and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and could play a role in the effects of CGRP receptor antagonists developed for migraine. Dual agonists of the amylin and calcitonin receptors (DACRAs) are under development for obesity. Amylin and its receptors are believed to play a role in Alzheimer's disease.