Real-world data show erenumab prevents migraine attacks, reduces intensity

New real-world data show a monthly self-injection of erenumab, a preventive migraine treatment, reduced migraine intensity and the incidence of migraine attacks in most patients, according to a press release from the manufacturer.

The data were scheduled to be presented later this month at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada, but the meeting was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of 109 patients from Germany enrolled in the TELESCOPE study, 80% who received erenumab (Aimovig; Novartis, Amgen) reported a reduction in migraine intensity and 92% experienced fewer attacks, according to the release. Interim results of another real-world study — PERISCOPE — showed that 85% of 91 patients taking erenumab were able to better cope with daily activities and 83% had fewer migraine days since starting treatment.

In addition, findings from a 4.5-year open-label, phase 2 trial showed long-term treatment with erenumab sustained reductions in monthly migraine days (MMDs) among patients with episodic migraine, with an average of 5.8 fewer MMDs.

“These newly shared data ... add to the growing body of real-world and long-term evidence demonstrating the efficacy of Aimovig for migraine prevention across the migraine spectrum,” Estelle Vester-Blokland, MD, global head of Neuroscience Medical Affairs at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said in the release.

Reference:

Novartis. Novartis announces data in neurology reinforcing the real-world and long-term effectiveness and safety of Aimovig as a preventive treatment across the full spectrum of migraine. https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-announces-data-neurology-reinforcing-real-world-and-long-term-effectiveness-and-safety-aimovig-preventive-treatment-across-full-spectrum-migraine. Accessed April 17, 2020.

Disclosure: Vester-Blokland is an employee of Novartis Pharmaceuticals.