Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42249970›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neurology2026

Efficacy and safety of calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies for cluster headache: a systematic review and frequentist-Bayesian meta-analysis.

Lu Yuan, Yu-Xin Zhang, Pantila Kulachai, Xin-Ying Niu, Ting Yu, Yao-Dan Zhang, Hui Zheng

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lu YuanThe Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-8972-8329
Yu-Xin ZhangThe Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China.
Pantila KulachaiThe Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China.
Xin-Ying NiuThe Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China.
Ting YuThe Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China.
Yao-Dan ZhangHospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39-41, Shiliqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, China. 363488093@qq.com.
Hui ZhengThe Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China. zhenghui@cdutcm.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCalcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies have transformed migraine prevention, but their efficacy in cluster headache remains uncertain.

methodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov through February 28, 2026, for trials of CGRP monoclonal antibodies in cluster headache. The primary outcome was weekly cluster headache attack frequency, quantified as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals. Bayesian meta-analysis with five prior specifications and trial sequential analysis were conducted as prespecified sensitivity analyses.

resultsFour trials (655 participants) were included. The pooled MD was - 0.81 attacks per week (95%CI - 2.24 to 0.62; P = 0.265; I

conclusionCurrent evidence is insufficient to determine significant benefit of CGRP monoclonal antibodies in cluster headache. Modest benefit cannot be excluded, but clinically meaningful efficacy remains uncertain.

Indexed as

Antibodies, MonoclonalCalcitonin Gene-Related PeptideCluster HeadacheOutcome Assessment, Health CareBayes TheoremHumansAntibodies, MonoclonalCalcitonin Gene-Related PeptideBayesianCalcitonin gene-related peptideCluster headacheMeta-analysis

Identifiers

PMID42249970

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.