As someone who used to experience 15 migraines a month, I am thrilled to write this item: Migraines are the next test case for the blockbuster GLP-1 drugs that have gained remarkable popularity for treating diabetes and obesity.

A pilot study presented at a conference Friday found that GLP-1 agonists reduced monthly migraine days by almost half, which the authors suggest could be due to reduced intracranial pressure. After 12 weeks, patients’ mean monthly reported headache days fell by 9.1 days, from an average of 19.8 to 10.7 days. Their mean score on the Migraine Disability Assessment decreased by 31.8, from an average of 60.4 to 28.6.

“It’s a hugely interesting and very important study, and it opens all sorts of questions about how the drug works,” said Alexandra Sinclair, chair of the neurology department at the University of Birmingham. Read more from STAT’s Veronica Paulus.

Vertex stem cell therapy spurs insulin independence

In a small but striking Phase 1/2 study, an off-the-shelf stem cell therapy made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals enabled 10 of 12 people with type 1 diabetes to stop insulin injections for at least a year — while maintaining healthy blood glucose levels and avoiding severe hypoglycemia. The treatment, zimislecel, is derived from lab-grown islet cells and delivered with immunosuppression — mimicking the success of islet transplants but without donor constraints.

“This study has the potential to get us one step closer to a ‘functional cure’ for patients with type 1 diabetes,” the study’s co-author told STAT.

Read more.

from AXIOS:

Health plans vow to simplify prior authorization

By Maya Goldman