Background

Monoclonal antibodies to calcitonin gene-related peptide or its receptor have clinical trial evidence in adults with headache, but data are lacking in adolescents. The objective of this study was to describe the safety and efficacy of calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody treatment in adolescents with chronic headache disorders.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multisite cohort study of patients less than 18 years of age who received a calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody for headache prevention. Demographics, baseline headache characteristics, efficacy, and side effect data were collected.

Results

The study population comprised 112 adolescents who received at least one dose of a calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody. Mean (S.D.; range) age at first dose was 15.9 years (1.4; 10.3 to 17.8). Ninety-four patients (83.9%) had chronic migraine, 12 (10.7%) had new daily persistent headache, and six (5.4%) had persistent post-traumatic headache. At baseline, the mean (S.D.) number of headache days per month was 26.9 (6.1) (n = 109) and headache was continuous in 75 of 111 (67.6%). At first follow-up visit there was a significant reduction in headache frequency compared with baseline (-2.0 days; 95% confidence interval, -0.8 to -3.2). Significant benefit was perceived by 29.5% of patients at first follow-up visit (n = 33/112) and 30.1% (n = 22/73) at second follow-up visit. A significant functional improvement was perceived by 31% of patients (n = 31/94) at the first follow-up visit and 22.4% (n = 15/67) at the second follow-up visit. The most common side effects were injection site reactions in 17.0% (n = 19) and constipation in 8.0% (n = 9). Five patients (4.5%) discontinued because of side effects.

Conclusions

Side effects with calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody treatment in adolescents were similar to those reported in adult trials. Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody treatment appears to benefit a proportion of adolescents with chronic refractory headache disorders.