Benefit-risk assessment based on number needed to treat and number needed to harm: Atogepant vs. calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies

Cephalalgia. 2024 Nov;44(11):3331024241299377. doi: 10.1177/03331024241299377.

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the benefit-risk assessment of atogepant and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) vs. placebo based on the number needed to treat (NNT) and the number needed to harm (NNH) in a blended episodic migraine and chronic migraine (EM + CM) population.

Methods: The NNT was calculated based on achievement of a ≥ 50% reduction in mean monthly migraine days (MMDs) from baseline across 12 weeks. The NNH was calculated using the proportion of participants reporting a discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs). The primary analysis included data from studies of atogepant, erenumab, galcanezumab, eptinezumab and fremanezumab.

Results: In the primary analysis, the calculated NNT for atogepant 60 mg vs. placebo was 4.2 (95% credible interval (CrI) = 3.1-6.7), which was the lowest relative to the CGRP mAbs in the blended EM + CM population. Participants who received atogepant 60 mg or fremanezumab showed the most favorable NNH values (-1010 (95% Crl = 44 to ∞ to number needed to benefit 80) for atogepant) resulting from lower rates of discontinuation due to AEs compared with those receiving placebo.

Conclusions: Atogepant demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk profile, with NNT and NNH values comparable (not statistically significant) with those of CGRP mAbs across all analyses.

Keywords: CGRP receptor antagonists; antibodies; gepant; headache disorders; migraine disorders; monoclonal.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Numbers Needed To Treat
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists