CGRP antagonists: unravelling the role of CGRP in migraine

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2007 Nov;28(11):580-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2007.10.005. Epub 2007 Oct 25.

Abstract

Migraine is a complex, debilitating neurovascular disorder. Although knowledge on the main molecular players is still incomplete, recent preclinical and clinical findings indicate that there is a clear correlation between migraine-associated headache and the release of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). BIBN4096 was the first CGRP antagonist to be tested in clinical trials for the treatment of migraine. The proven efficacy of this agent, and also the CGRP antagonist MK-0974, to alleviate acute migraine headache provided significant support for the hypothesis that CGRP has an important role in migraine pathophysiology. Moreover, the recently published results from Phase II trials are encouraging and suggest that this new type of drug might offer advantages over existing therapies for patients suffering from migraine and related headaches.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Azepines / chemistry
  • Azepines / pharmacology
  • Azepines / therapeutic use
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / physiology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dipeptides / chemistry
  • Dipeptides / pharmacology
  • Dipeptides / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Imidazoles / therapeutic use
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Structure
  • Quinazolines / chemistry
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • 1-(N(2)-(3,4-dibromo-N-((4-(3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-oxoquinazolin-3-yl)-1-piperidinyl)carbonyl)tyrosyl)lysyl)-4-(4-pyridinyl)piperazine
  • Azepines
  • Dipeptides
  • Imidazoles
  • Quinazolines
  • telcagepant
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide