The efficacy and safety of calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody for episodic migraine: a meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) for episodic migraine prevention.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 2018. Studies considered to be eligible were randomized controlled trials about efficacy and safety of calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody for episodic migraine prevention.ResultsEight randomized controlled trials involving 2292 patients were included. The outcomes of this meta-analysis presented that CGRP monoclonal antibodies for preventive treatment of episodic migraine significantly reduced the monthly migraine days from baseline [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-1.52; 95%CI, -1.92 to -1.11; Z=7.40; P<0.001] and monthly acute migraine-specific medication consumption from baseline [WMD=-1.45; 95%CI, -2.17 to -0.72; Z=3.93; P<0.001], as compared with placebo group. CGRP monoclonal antibodies for preventive treatment of episodic migraine significantly increased the 50% reduction from baseline in migraine days per month [RR=1.54; 95%CI, 1.38 to1.71; Z=7.88; P<0.001]. The adverse events were similar between the CGRP monoclonal antibody group and placebo group (P=0.998). The outcomes of subgroup analysis showed that erenumab, galcanezumab, and fremanezumab significantly reduced the monthly migraine days from baseline and increased the 50% reduction from baseline in migraine days per month. Both erenumab and fremanezumab significantly reduced from baseline.ConclusionsBased on the results of this meta-analysis, CGRP monoclonal antibodies significantly reduced the monthly migraine days and acute migraine-specific medication. CGRP monoclonal antibodies were effective and safe for preventive treatment of episodic migraine.