Print this page
Thursday, 24 April 2014 10:44

Scientists created the first monoclonal antibodies to fight migraine

Rate this item
(1 Vote)

924151 3-monoclonal-polyclonal-peptide-biological-research-products-knock-out-ratAt the annual conference of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), which will be held from April 26 to May 3 in Philadelphia, will be presented to the successful outcome of Phase II clinical trial of two brand new compared to existing drugs for the prevention of migraine attacks, according to a press release AAN. Both drugs are used first for the prevention of migraine monoclonal antibody. The creators promise a new era of medicine in preventive therapy for this disease.

Target against which drugs work, also not previously been involved in order to prevent migraine attacks - monoclonal antibodies block the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), synthesized by cells of the central and peripheral nervous system neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the transmission of pain.

During the first tests of medicines, ALD403, 163 patients suffering from migraine attacks from five to 14 days per month or one placebo dose. Over the next six months, the group received the drug was observed 66 percent reduction in the number of attacks per month, compared to 52 percent reduction in the group receiving placebo. In 16 percent of the participants received the drug group attacks were completely absent for three months, which was not observed in the placebo group. Difference in side effects between the groups was observed.

In trials of another drug, LY2951742, 217 patients suffering from migraine from 4 to 14 days a month, for three months received twice weekly subcutaneous injections of placebo or drug. In the group receiving therapy, there was a 63 percent reduction in seizure frequency per month compared with a 42 percent decline in the placebo group. In patients receiving the drug were noted side effects such as pain at the injection site, pain in the abdomen and upper respiratory tract infection, but in general medicine was found to be safe and well tolerated.

Although both drugs is still the third phase of clinical trials, according to the representative of the University of California (San Francisco) Godsbi Peter (Peter Goadsby), participated in the creation and testing of both drugs, the results are potentially promising new era in preventive treatment of migraine.

Migraine affects about 14 percent of the adult population and, according to the global health research people on Earth Global Burden of Disease Survey in 2010, is the seventh of disabling diseases.

Read 3882 times

Related items