CGRP receptor antagonists: an expanding drug class for acute migraine?

INTRODUCTION: Migraine afflicts approximately 11% of the population worldwide producing substantial disability, resulting in loss of productivity both at home and at the workplace. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is closely involved in the cascade of molecular events leading to migraine painful crisis. AREAS COVERED: Acute treatment of migraine is actually based on the use of triptans, class drug which presents a clear limitation due to its cardiovascular side effects. Gepants, a CGRP antagonist class, might offer a new non-vasoconstrictive approach in the acute treatment of migraine. Four chemically unrelated CGRP receptor (CGRP-R) antagonists (olcegepant, telcagepant, MK-3207 and BI 44370 TA) have displayed efficacy in the treatment of migraine. EXPERT OPINION: When compared with triptans, gepants class showed a similar efficacy, moreover corresponding to the best published results for oral triptans. CGRP antagonists are in different phases of their development, and the treatment of migraine could be based on the use of gepants, as class of acute medications. However, CGRP-R antagonists clinical trials seem to be discouraging for their forthcoming use in clinical practice. New CGRP-R antagonists, such as BMS-927711 and BI 44370 TA, are in the pipeline and their developments will outline the future of this drug class.