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BackgroundFremanezumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG2Δa) selectively targets the calcitonin gene-related peptide and has proven efficacy for the preventive treatment of migraine. In this study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of monthly and quarterly fremanezumab.MethodsEpisodic migraine and chronic migraine patients completing the 12-week double-blind period of the FOCUS trial entered the 12-week open-label extension and received 3 monthly doses of fremanezumab (225 mg). Changes from baseline in monthly migraine days, monthly headache days of at least moderate severity, days of acute headache medication use, days with photophobia/phonophobia, days with nausea or vomiting, disability scores, and proportion of patients achieving a ≥50% or  ≥75% reduction in monthly migraine days were evaluated.ResultsOf the 807 patients who completed the 12-week double-blind treatment period and entered the open-label extension, 772 patients completed the study. In the placebo, quarterly fremanezumab, and monthly fremanezumab dosing regimens, respectively, patients had fewer average monthly migraine days (mean [standard deviation] change from baseline: − 4.7 [5.4]; − 5.1 [4.7]; − 5.5 [5.0]), monthly headache days of at least moderate severity (− 4.5 [5.0]; − 4.8 [4.5]; − 5.2 [4.9]), days per month of acute headache medication use (− 4.3 [5.2]; − 4.9 [4.6]; − 4.8 [4.9]), days with photophobia/phonophobia (− 3.1 [5.3]; − 3.4 [5.3]; − 4.0 [5.2]), and days with nausea or vomiting (− 2.3 [4.6]; − 3.1 [4.5]; − 3.0 [4.4]). During the 12-week open-label extension, 38%, 45%, and 46% of patients, respectively, achieved a ≥50% reduction and 16%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, achieved a ≥75% reduction in monthly migraine days. Disability scores were substantially improved in all 3 treatment groups. There were low rates of adverse events leading to discontinuation (<1%).ConclusionFremanezumab demonstrated sustained efficacy up to 6 months and was well tolerated in patients with episodic migraine or chronic migraine and documented inadequate response to multiple migraine preventive medication classes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03308968 (FOCUS).

BackgroundMigraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Although many preventive treatments reduce migraine frequency and severity, it is unclear whether these treatments reduce migraine-related disability in a clinically meaningful way. This pooled analysis evaluated the ability of fremanezumab to reduce migraine-related disability, based on responses and shifts in severity in patient-reported disability outcomes.MethodsThis pooled analysis included 3 double-blind phase 3 trials (HALO EM, HALO CM, FOCUS) in which patients with episodic or chronic migraine were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to quarterly or monthly fremanezumab or matched placebo for 12 weeks. Migraine-related disability was assessed using the 6-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaires. A clinically meaningful improvement in disability was defined per American Headache Society guidelines: for HIT-6, a ≥ 5-point reduction; for MIDAS, a ≥ 5-point reduction when baseline score was 11 to 20 or ≥ 30% reduction when baseline score was > 20. Proportions of patients who demonstrated shifts in severity for each outcome were also evaluated.ResultsFor patients with baseline MIDAS scores of 11 to 20 (n = 234), significantly higher proportions achieved 5-point reductions from baseline in MIDAS scores with fremanezumab (quarterly, 71%; monthly, 70%) compared with placebo (49%; both P ≤ 0.01). For patients with baseline MIDAS scores of > 20 (n = 1266), proportions achieving ≥30% reduction from baseline in MIDAS scores were also significantly higher with fremanezumab (quarterly, 69%; monthly, 79%) compared with placebo (58%; both P < 0.001). For HIT-6 scores, proportions of patients achieving 5-point reductions from baseline were significantly higher with fremanezumab (quarterly, 53%; monthly, 55%) compared with placebo (39%; both P < 0.0001). Proportions of patients with shifts of 1 to 3 grades down in MIDAS or HIT-6 disability severity were significantly greater with quarterly and monthly fremanezumab compared with placebo (all P < 0.0001).ConclusionFremanezumab demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in disability severity in this pooled analysis.Trial registrationsHALO CM, NCT02621931; HALO EM, NCT02629861; FOCUS, NCT03308968.

BackgroundMigraine prevalence is age and sex dependent, predominating in women in early and middle adulthood; however, migraine also represents a substantial burden for men and adults of all ages. Thus, understanding this burden and the efficacy of migraine preventive medications in both sexes and across age groups is critical. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3b FOCUS study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of fremanezumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG2∆a) that selectively targets calcitonin gene-related peptide as a migraine preventive treatment for individuals with migraine and prior inadequate response to 2 to 4 migraine preventive medication classes. Here, we assessed the efficacy of fremanezumab in participants from FOCUS subgrouped by age (18–45 years and > 45 years) and sex.MethodsIn the FOCUS study, eligible participants were randomized (1:1:1) to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with quarterly fremanezumab, monthly fremanezumab, or matched monthly placebo. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated changes from baseline in monthly migraine days (primary endpoint of FOCUS) and other secondary and exploratory efficacy outcomes in prespecified age (18–45 and > 45 years) and sex subgroups.ResultsThe modified intention-to-treat population (received ≥ 1 dose of study drug and had ≥ 10 days of postbaseline efficacy assessments for the primary endpoint) totaled 837 participants (18–45 years, n = 373; > 45 years, n = 464; male, n = 138; female, n = 699). Consistent reductions in monthly average number of migraine days during 12 weeks were observed, regardless of age (18–45 years: quarterly fremanezumab, − 4.1 days; monthly fremanezumab, − 4.7 days; placebo, − 0.9 days; P < 0.001; > 45 years: quarterly fremanezumab, − 3.6 days; monthly fremanezumab, − 3.7 days; placebo, − 0.3 days; P < 0.001) and sex (male: quarterly fremanezumab, − 4.1 days; monthly fremanezumab, − 4.6 days; placebo, − 0.3 days; P < 0.001; female: quarterly fremanezumab, − 3.6 days; monthly fremanezumab, − 3.9 days; placebo, − 0.6 days; P < 0.001). Fremanezumab also reduced monthly headache days of at least moderate severity, monthly days of acute medication use, and improved Migraine Disability Assessment scores across subgroups.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate the efficacy of fremanezumab in patients with difficult-to-treat migraine for reducing migraine and headache days, acute medication use, and disability, regardless of age or sex.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03308968 (FOCUS), registered October 13, 2017.

The monoclonal antibody fremanezumab has been shown effective and well tolerated in numerous Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials. This subgroup analysis of the international HALO episodic migraine (EM; [NCT02629861]) trial and a similarly designed phase 2b/3 trial in Japanese and Korean patients (NCT03303092) sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fremanezumab in Japanese patients with EM. In both trials, eligible patients were randomly assigned at baseline to receive subcutaneous monthly fremanezumab, quarterly fremanezumab, or placebo in a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was the mean change from baseline in the monthly (28-day) average number of migraine days during the 12-week period after the first dose of fremanezumab or placebo. Secondary endpoints assessed other aspects of efficacy, including disability and medication use. A total of 301 patients in the Japanese and Korean phase 2b/3 trial and 75 patients in the HALO EM trial were Japanese with baseline and treatment characteristics similar between treatment groups. According to ANCOVA analysis of the primary endpoint, both fremanezumab quarterly and monthly led to greater reductions in the monthly (28-day) average number of migraine days than placebo. This was supported by MMRM analysis of the primary endpoint over the initial 4 weeks, highlighting the rapid onset of action of fremanezumab. Results of secondary endpoint analysis supported the primary endpoint analyses. Fremanezumab was well tolerated with no new safety signals seen in this population of Japanese patients. Fremanezumab appears to be an effective and well-tolerated preventive medication for Japanese patients with EM.

Fremanezumab monoclonal antibody therapy has demonstrated efficacy for chronic migraine (CM) with rapid onset and good tolerability. This subgroup analysis of two clinical trials (Japanese and Korean CM Phase 2b/3 [NCT03303079] and HALO CM Phase 3 [NCT02621931]) aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fremanezumab in Japanese patients. Both trials randomly assigned eligible patients at baseline (1:1:1 ratio) to subcutaneous monthly fremanezumab, quarterly fremanezumab, or placebo at 4-week intervals. The primary endpoint was the mean change from baseline in the monthly (28-day) average number of headache days of at least moderate severity during the 12-week period after the first dose of study medication (analyzed by ANCOVA over 12 weeks and MMRM over initial 4 weeks). Secondary endpoints examined other aspects of efficacy, including medication use and disability. A total of 479 and 109 patients were Japanese in the Japanese and Korean CM Phase 2b/3 and HALO CM trials, respectively. Baseline and treatment characteristics were generally similar between treatment groups for both trials. Results of subgroup analyses for the primary endpoint according to ANCOVA demonstrated the superiority of fremanezumab over placebo in Japanese patients (quarterly fremanezumab, p=0.0005; monthly fremanezumab, p=0.0002 in both trials). Results using the MMRM analysis confirmed the rapid onset of action in this population. Results of the secondary endpoints further supported the efficacy of fremanezumab in Japanese patients. Fremanezumab was well tolerated with nasopharyngitis and injection-site reactions representing the most common adverse events in all treatment groups. Despite the limitations of subgroup analyses, these consistent results confirm the efficacy and tolerability of fremanezumab in Japanese patients with CM.

A coordinated functional genomics program was implemented to identify secreted polypeptides with therapeutic applications in the treatment of diabetes. Secreted factors were predicted from a diverse expressed-sequence tags (EST) database, representing >1,000 cDNA libraries, using a combination of bioinformatic algorithms. Subsequently, ∼8,000 human proteins were screened in high-throughput cell-based assays designed to monitor key physiological transitions known to be centrally involved in the physiology of type 2 diabetes. Bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) gave a positive response in two independent assays: reducing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression in hepatocytes and activating Akt kinase in differentiated myotubes. Purified recombinant BMP-9 potently inhibited hepatic glucose production and activated expression of key enzymes of lipid metabolism. In freely fed diabetic mice, a single subcutaneous injection of BMP-9 reduced glycemia to near-normal levels, with maximal reduction observed 30 hours after treatment. BMP-9 represents the first hepatic factor shown to regulate blood glucose concentration. Using a combination of bioinformatic and high-throughput functional analyses, we have identified a factor that may be exploited for the treatment of diabetes.

The FOCUS phase 3b study evaluated the long-term efficacy of fremanezumab in patients with chronic or episodic migraine (CM/EM) and prior documented inadequate response to 2-4 preventive treatment classes during 12-week double-blind period (DBP) and open-label extension (OLE).Following 28-day baseline period, patients were randomised (1:1:1) to quarterly or monthly fremanezumab or placebo for DBP. Patients completing DBP entered OLE, where all patients received treatment with monthly fremanezumab. Outcomes are summarised by DBP group.During DBP, least squares mean changes in monthly migraine days (MMD) in placebo, quarterly, and monthly fremanezumab groups, respectively, were –0.8, –3.9, and –4.5 for CM patients (n=509) and –0.6,–3.7, and –3.8 for EM patients (n=328; P<0.0001 vs placebo); during OLE, mean MMD changes were –5.3,–5.1, and –5.8 for CM patients (n=493) and –3.9, –5.1, and –5.1 for EM patients (n=313). Reductions were also observed for CM and EM patients in monthly headache days of at least moderate severity during DBP and increased during OLE. In placebo, quarterly, and monthly fremanezumab groups, respectively, for DBP, ≥50% reduction in MMD were 8%, 27%, and 29% for CM patients and 10%, 47%, and 43% for EM patients (P<0.0001 vs placebo) and for OLE, were 31%, 35%, and 40% for CM patients and 49%, 63%, and 56% for EM patients.Fremanezumab demonstrated long-term efficacy in CM and EM patients with prior inadequate response to multiple preventive classes.

Background Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes psychiatric and neurological symptoms, including involuntary and irregular muscle movements (chorea). Chorea can disrupt activities of daily living, pose safety issues, and may lead to social withdrawal. The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitors tetrabenazine, deutetrabenazine, and valbenazine are approved treatments that can reduce chorea. Objective This post hoc analysis was conducted to evaluate safety and efficacy among participants who received high-dosage deutetrabenazine treatment (> 48 mg/d) in ARC-HD, an open-label study that assessed long-term safety and efficacy of deutetrabenazine for the treatment of chorea in HD in adults. Methods ARC-HD was a single-arm, two-cohort, open-label study. Participants either successfully completed the First-HD study or switched overnight from tetrabenazine to deutetrabenazine. Participants were dosed with deutetrabenazine in a response-driven manner (maximum 72 mg/d allowed). For the current analysis, exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs) for adverse events of interest were analyzed according to daily dosage (≤ 48 mg/d versus > 48 mg/d), and total maximal chorea (TMC) scores were analyzed by cohort during the stable-dose period. Results In total, 116 of the 119 participants enrolled in ARC-HD entered the stable-dose period, where no apparent differences were seen in EAIRs when receiving deutetrabenazine dosages ≤ 48 mg/d (exposure = 177.7 person-years) compared with > 48 mg/d (exposure = 74.1 person-years). Similar results were found among the subset of participants who received deutetrabenazine dosages > 48 mg/d at least once during the study ( n  = 49, 42%) when their dosage was ≤ 48 mg/d (exposure = 37.9 person-years) versus > 48 mg/d (74.1 person-years). Efficacy analyses were conducted for participants who had TMC scores available (rollover cohort, n  = 77; switch cohort, n  = 35). For most participants, the lowest deutetrabenazine dosage needed to achieve a TMC response (≥ 30% improvement from baseline) was between 24 and 48 mg/d in both the rollover ( n  = 57, 74.0%) and switch ( n  = 16, 46.0%) cohorts. Whereas the dosage needed for a TMC response was independent of baseline TMC score in the rollover cohort, participants with higher baseline TMC scores in the switch cohort required higher dosages to achieve a TMC response during the trial. Conclusions In this open-label, long-term study, some participants received deutetrabenazine dosing > 48 mg/d to achieve adequate chorea control. There was no new safety concern or incremental change in the safety profile between dosages of ≤ 48 mg/d and > 48 mg/d. These results include dosages that have not been approved for clinical use, however, they increase our understanding of safety and tolerability of deutetrabenazine doses. Clinical Trials Registration ARC-HD (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01897896); First-HD (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01795859). Plain Language Summary ARC-HD was a medical study in which participants took a medicine called deutetrabenazine. Deutetrabenazine is used to treat unplanned movements known as chorea, which happen in participants who have Huntington disease. At the start of the ARC-HD study, all participants took 6 milligrams per day (mg/d) of the medicine. Each week, the doctor could give them more medicine, but not more than 72 mg/d. The doctor checked if the medicine helped to lower their chorea and if any safety concerns occurred. The highest amount of the medicine that is allowed in the USA is 48 mg/d. Some participants took more than that. We wanted to learn more about the safety (side effects) and the chorea in participants who took more than 48 mg/d. Participants who took more than 48 mg/d had no new side effects of interest. They also reported the same number of side effects as participants who took 48 mg/d or less. For most participants, the lowest amount of medicine they needed to lower their chorea was between 24 and 48 mg/d.

ObjectiveTo evaluate efficacy of fremanezumab in a subgroup of chronic migraine (CM) patients with inadequate response to ≥3 migraine preventive medication classes (CM ≥3 inadequate responses subgroup) from the double-blind, phase 3b FOCUS study.MethodsIn FOCUS, patients with inadequate response to 2–4 migraine preventive treatment classes were randomized (1:1:1) to quarterly fremanezumab, monthly fremanezumab, or placebo for 12 weeks. Changes in monthly migraine days (MMD), 6-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) score, and monthly days using acute headache medication and response rates (≥30% reduction in MMD), were evaluated in CM≥3 inadequate responses subgroup.ResultsOf 838 randomized patients, 293 were included in this analysis. Change from baseline in MMD over 12 weeks was significantly greater with fremanezumab (LSM[SE]: quarterly, −4.0[0.56]; monthly, −4.1[0.56]) versus placebo (−1.0[0.59]; P<0.0001), as was ≥30% response rate (44% and 46% vs 18%; P<0.0001). Signifi- cantly greater reductions from baseline were observed in HIT-6 scores during 4 weeks after third study- drug dose with quarterly (−3.8[0.70]) and monthly (−4.9[0.71]) fremanezumab versus placebo (−1.7[0.75]; P<0.01). Reductions in acute medication use days were significantly greater with fremanezumab versus placebo (P<0.0001).ConclusionsIn CM patients with inadequate response to ≥3 migraine preventive medication classes, fremanezumab was well tolerated and effective.mknagge@cellohealth.com53

Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes psychiatric and neurological symptoms, including involuntary and irregular muscle movements (chorea). Chorea can disrupt activities of daily living, pose safety issues, and may lead to social withdrawal. The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitors tetrabenazine, deutetrabenazine, and valbenazine are approved treatments that can reduce chorea. This post hoc analysis was conducted to evaluate safety and efficacy among participants who received high-dosage deutetrabenazine treatment (> 48 mg/d) in ARC-HD, an open-label study that assessed long-term safety and efficacy of deutetrabenazine for the treatment of chorea in HD in adults. ARC-HD was a single-arm, two-cohort, open-label study. Participants either successfully completed the First-HD study or switched overnight from tetrabenazine to deutetrabenazine. Participants were dosed with deutetrabenazine in a response-driven manner (maximum 72 mg/d allowed). For the current analysis, exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs) for adverse events of interest were analyzed according to daily dosage (≤ 48 mg/d versus > 48 mg/d), and total maximal chorea (TMC) scores were analyzed by cohort during the stable-dose period. In total, 116 of the 119 participants enrolled in ARC-HD entered the stable-dose period, where no apparent differences were seen in EAIRs when receiving deutetrabenazine dosages ≤ 48 mg/d (exposure = 177.7 person-years) compared with > 48 mg/d (exposure = 74.1 person-years). Similar results were found among the subset of participants who received deutetrabenazine dosages > 48 mg/d at least once during the study (n = 49, 42%) when their dosage was ≤ 48 mg/d (exposure = 37.9 person-years) versus > 48 mg/d (74.1 person-years). Efficacy analyses were conducted for participants who had TMC scores available (rollover cohort, n = 77; switch cohort, n = 35). For most participants, the lowest deutetrabenazine dosage needed to achieve a TMC response (≥ 30% improvement from baseline) was between 24 and 48 mg/d in both the rollover (n = 57, 74.0%) and switch (n = 16, 46.0%) cohorts. Whereas the dosage needed for a TMC response was independent of baseline TMC score in the rollover cohort, participants with higher baseline TMC scores in the switch cohort required higher dosages to achieve a TMC response during the trial. In this open-label, long-term study, some participants received deutetrabenazine dosing > 48 mg/d to achieve adequate chorea control. There was no new safety concern or incremental change in the safety profile between dosages of ≤ 48 mg/d and > 48 mg/d. These results include dosages that have not been approved for clinical use, however, they increase our understanding of safety and tolerability of deutetrabenazine doses. ARC-HD (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01897896); First-HD (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01795859).