Introduction and objectives
Cluster headache is the most frequent trigeminoautonomic headache, which, together with the high impact it produces on the patient's quality of life, has led to an in-depth study of its pathophysiology, thus discovering the role of the peptide related to the gene of calcitonin and consequently test the clinical response to the functional blockade of this molecule with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies. We present the data of 7 patients in this regard.
Materials and methods
We describe and interpret the frequency of daily attacks of 7 patients through clinical interview, before the start, at 3, and at 6 months of treatment with galcanezumab. They are patients with refractory cluster headache, with more than 5 preventive treatments that they have used previously.
Results
Five (5) of the 7 patients (71.4%) presented a reduction in the number of attacks greater than or equal to 50% at 3 months. At 6 months, 4 of the 6 patients (66%) continue to experience a reduction in the number of attacks, 1 of them maintains unpainful and 3 of them present a reduction equal to or greater than 75% in attacks. Two patients suffered side effects that in one case led to discontinuation of treatment.
Conclusions
The response to treatment has been good, especially considering the repeatedly refractory profile of the pathology in our sample. Despite this, we accept the limitations of the study, mainly in terms of sample size and follow-up.
We provide our data on the early response to galcanezumab in patients with refractory cluster headache, which adds to the evidence that suggests that anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies may be a valid tool and safe in the treatment of this type of patient.