Treatment for Cluster Headache Disorders

Referenznummer TO 15-00085

 

Challenge 

Cluster headache disorders are characterized by a periodically appearing severe head pain syndrome; the pain is strictly unilateral (normally centring around the temple or eye) and can be accompanied by (unilateral) miosis and lacrimation, with symptoms lasting from 15 to 180 minutes. In the episodic form of the disease patients experience remission periods of months or years between the attacks; patients suffering from the chronic form report remission periods of less than one month per year. Therapies for pain relief include oxygen and sumatriptan; verpanil and corticosteroids are prescribed to suppress attacks during cluster periods and have to be taken on a daily basis. To date, no medications are known to terminate cluster periods or extend remission periods. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin are reported by a great number of patients to terminate a cluster headache cycle, but are listed as illegal drugs, and their use may be accompanied with hallucinogenic effects, which complicate their use.

 

Technology

A non-hallucinogenic LSD homologue showed very promising results in a recent case series: As little as three doses given within a range of 10 days led to long lasting (i.e. several months), almost complete abolishment of the attacks; those patients who did experience single attacks during the treatment and remission period reported a strong lessening of pain intensity, abolishing the need for administration of acute intervention treatment. No psychological side effects were reported and vital signs were unchanged, thus suggesting that the LSD homologue represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients suffering from cluster headache that do not respond to other therapies.

Commercial Opportunity
In-licensing or cooperation for the development of a kit comprising a medical composition of the LSD homologue.

Developmental Status

Preliminary results from an unblinded case series showed promising results. Previous studies showed that the LSD analogue is non-toxic.

Patent Situation

 A provisional US application has been filed in 2008. A PCT application has been filed in 2009.

Further Reading 

Halpern JH, Passie T, Huertas PE, and Karst M (2009). Attack cessation and remission induction with 2-bromo-LSD for cluster headache. Cephalalgia 29(Suppl. 1):46.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kontakt:

Ralf Cordes, Ph.D.
Technology Manager
Ascenion GmbH

T: +49 (0)511 532 8921
F: +49 (0)511 532 8929
cordes@ascenion.de