A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Identification of BIOmarkers of MIGraine: a Proof of Concept Study Based on the Stratification of Responders to CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies

Detailed Summary

Migraine is the 2nd most disabling neurological disease. It affects 14.7% of the population (children and adults) of whom 80% are female. In the European Union, the total annual cost of migraine is of 111 billion euros. If not adequately treated, migraine can evolve into the more severe chronic form (CM), defined by \>15 headache days/month, where burden and costs increase exponentially. Until very recently, available preventive treatments for migraine were non-specific, of limited efficacy and scarce tolerability. In 2018, monoclonal antibodies (mABs) against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor have been approved. Since CGRP is one of the main modulators of the trigeminal system, mABs against CGRP are the first specific preventive treatment for migraine ever developed. They are highly effective in a subgroup of patients, well tolerated, but costly. In this frame, the main objective of BIOMIGA project is to identify predictive biomarkers of response to CGRP-mABs in patients with severe forms of migraine. To this end, the investigators will use an integrated hypothesis-based and data-driven, multidisciplinary approach that combines' omic testing in a deep-phenotyped migraine population and parallel fundamental research in a validated animal model of migraine. Three partners, Headache Science Centre, IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, Italy, Headache Research Group Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research, Barcelona, Spain and Institut für Systemische Neurowissenschaften, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany with an established long-standing and complementary expertise in neuroimaging, biochemical profiling and epigenetics in humans and in animal modeling of migraine will collaborate to achieve the Project's objective. The investigators expect important spin-offs to the improved management of migraine, both in terms of increased efficacy and cost saving, but also to understand CGRP-based mechanisms underlying migraine pathophysiology and to set the basis for a pathophysiologically driven classification. Healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry will be engaged once the biomarker(s) have been identified to optimize access to care and the use of resource, as well as to reduce disability and socio-economic impact of migraine.

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Arms & Interventions