Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and its Connection to Migraines

November 25, 2024 / By

Migraines are a leading neurological disorder which cause severe head pain which lasts anywhere from 4-72 hours. Calcitonin gene-related peptide or CGRP is a biomarker that is found at elevated levels during a migraine. Interestingly, CGRP levels are the highest in the 20 to 40-year-old age group who also suffer the most migraines. CGRP was first discovered in 1982 and is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide belonging to the same family as adrenomedullin, amylin, and calcitonin. Elevated blood levels of CGRP are found in individuals with pain from conditions such as arthritis, migraine, and chronic muscular pain.¹ Amgen received approval for Aimovig (Erenumab), a monoclonal antibody antagonist of CGRP that is a once-a-month injection for the treatment and prevention of migraines.^2,3 In treating migraines, Aimovig binds to human CGRP receptors, blocking the receptor and preventing CGRP release. There are also currently several other monoclonal antibody antagonists of CGRP in clinical trials, with promising results. Besides the monoclonal antibody therapies that are injectables, Ubrogepant, a small-molecule oral drug, is an antagonist that selectively blocks CGRP responses and looks promising in Phase III clinical trials.³

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References:

1. W.S. Schou, et al., The Journal of Headache and Pain, 18(1), 34 (2017).
2. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm608120.htm (2018)
3. L. Edvinsson et al., Nature Reviews, 14, 338 (2018).