Novel peptide calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists for migraine therapy

OBJECTIVES

It has previously been shown that the peptide (34Pro,35Phe)CGRP27-37 is a potent calcitonin gene-related peptide, CGRP receptor antagonist, and in this project we aimed to improve the antagonist potency through the structural modification of truncated C-terminal CGRP peptides.

METHODS

Six peptide analogues were synthesized and the anti-CGRP activity confirmed using both in vitro and in vivo studies.

KEY FINDINGS

A 10 amino acid-containing peptide VPTDVGPFAF-NH2 (P006) was identified as a key candidate to take forward for in vivo evaluation, where it was shown to be an effective antagonist after intraperitoneal injection into mice. P006 was formulated as a preparation suitable for nasal administration by spray drying with chitosan to form mucoadhesive microcarriers (9.55 ± 0.91 mm diameter) and a loading of 0.2 mg peptide per 20 mg dose.

CONCLUSIONS

The project has demonstrated the potential of these novel small peptide CGRP antagonists, to undergo future preclinical evaluation as anti-migraine therapeutics.

A CGRP receptor antagonist peptide formulated for nasal administration to treat migraine

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the formulation of the peptide-based antagonist (³⁴ Pro,³⁵ Phe)CGRP_27-37 , of the human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor as a potential nasally delivered migraine treatment.

METHODS

Peptide sequences were prepared using automated methods and purified by preparative HPLC. Their structure and stability were determined by LC-MS. Antagonist potency was assessed by measuring CGRP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in SK-N-MC, cells and in CHO cells overexpressing the human CGRP receptor. In vivo activity was tested in plasma protein extravasation (PPE) studies using Evans blue dye accumulation. Peptide-containing chitosan microparticles were prepared by spray drying.

KEY FINDINGS

(³⁴ Pro,³⁵ Phe)CGRP_27-37 exhibited a 10-fold increased affinity compared to αCGRP_27-37 . Administration of (³⁴ Pro,³⁵ Phe)CGRP_27-37 to mice led to a significant decrease in CGRP-induced PPE confirming antagonistic properties in vivo. There was no degradation of (³⁴ Pro,³⁵ Phe)CGRP_27-37 and no loss of antagonist potency during formulation and release from chitosan microparticles.

CONCLUSIONS

(³⁴ Pro,³⁵ Phe)CGRP_27-37 is a potent CGRP receptor antagonist both in vitro and in vivo, and it can be formulated as a dry powder with no loss of activity indicating its potential as a nasally formulated anti-migraine medicine.