Assessing Eptinezumab’s Impact in Reducing Migraine Burden Through Longer Interictal Periods: Amaal Starling, MD, FAHS, FAAN

WATCH TIME: 5 minutes

"Overall, individuals living with migraine who have longer periods of time in between migraine attacks or these longer interictal periods are experiencing reduced burden of migraine and having an improvement in their quality of life."

At the 2025 American Headache Society (AHS) Annual Meeting, held June 19-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, researchers presented post hoc analyses findings from a phase 3b study of eptinezumab (Vyepti; Lundbeck), an FDA-approved preventive treatment for migraine in adults. The post-hoc analysis assessed the association between the mean longest interictal period and improvements in patient-reported quality of life outcomes using data from the phase 3b DELIVER trial (NCT04418765) during weeks 1 to 12 (n = 853) and weeks 1 to 24 (n = 832).

Findings of the analysis showed that the mean longest interictal period was larger with eptinezumab than as reported by patients who received placebo during the first 24 weeks of the trial. Among patients with more than 14- and 21-day mean longest interictal periods, a greater proportion of patients achieved clinically meaningful improvements in the 6-item Headache Impact test score and Patient Global Impression of Change with eptinezumab in comparison with placebo. Overall, the presented data highlighted the need for clinicians to look beyond monthly migraine days and to consider the potential importance of a more holistic approach to migraine care.^1,2

Headache and migraine expert Amaal Starling, MD, FAHS, FAAN, recently sat down with NeurologyLive^® to discuss emerging insights from the post hoc analysis of the DELIVER study, focusing on the relevance of the interictal period as a meaningful clinical measure. During the conversation, Starling, an associate professor in the department of neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, explored how assessing this period can offer a more nuanced understanding of migraine burden and patient well-being, particularly among those with chronic or episodic migraine who have not responded to previous preventive treatments. Overall, she highlighted the value of patient-reported outcomes in guiding more effective, individualized care strategies in patients with migraine.

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REFERENCES
1. Lundbeck Advances Leadership in Migraine With New Data at the American Headache Society 67th Annual Scientific Meeting. News Release. Lundbeck. Published June 19, 2025. Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.lundbeck.com/us/newsroom/2025/lundbeck-advances-leadership-in-migraine-with-new-data-at-the-am
2. Tepper S, Joshi S, Hirman J, et al. Eptinezumab Treatment was Associated with Longer Interictal Periods and Corresponding Larger Improvements in Quality of Life in Participants With Migraine for Whom 2-4 Prior Preventive Treatments had Failed: A Post Hoc Analysis of the DELIVER. Presented at: 2025 AHS Annual Meeting; June 19-22; Minneapolis, MN. P-341.