The Hawaii Headache & Facial Pain Center and Hawaii Headache Research Unit have been awarded a clinical research study to investigate XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA) as a potential preventive treatment for chronic and episodic migraine. This important research initiative aims to address ongoing gaps in migraine prevention and expand treatment options for patients in Hawaiʻi .
Understanding Migraine and Its Impact
Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe head pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last between four and 72 hours and may be preceded by aura, which includes visual or sensory disturbances that signal the onset of an attack .
Migraine is broadly classified into two main types:
- Episodic migraine: Fewer than 15 headache days per month
- Chronic migraine: 15 or more headache days per month for at least three months
Beyond physical symptoms, migraine is associated with significant emotional, cognitive, and social burden. Many patients experience coexisting conditions such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, leading to reduced quality of life, impaired productivity, and increased healthcare utilization.
Why New Migraine Prevention Options Are Needed
Despite the availability of multiple preventive therapies, many patients continue to experience frequent or disabling migraines. This ongoing unmet need underscores the importance of researching additional preventive treatment options that may offer benefit to patients who do not respond adequately to existing therapies.
XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA) is a purified neurotoxin currently approved in more than 80 countries, including the United States and Canada, for the treatment of various neurological and aesthetic conditions. However, XEOMIN® is not yet approved for migraine prevention, making this research study a critical step toward evaluating its potential role in migraine care .
About the Migraine Prevention Studies: MINT-E and MINT-C
This research includes two distinct study populations designed to evaluate XEOMIN® in different migraine subtypes:
MINT-E: Episodic Migraine Study
- Participants experience fewer than 15 headache days per month
- Of those, 6 to 14 days are migraine days per month
MINT-C: Chronic Migraine Study
- Participants experience more than 15 headache days per month
- Of those, more than 8 days are migraine days
These studies aim to assess the safety and effectiveness of XEOMIN® as a preventive therapy in both episodic and chronic migraine populations .
Research Leadership and Expertise
The study is led by Eonjung Angeline Kim, MD, Investigator and Director of the Hawaii Headache & Facial Pain Center and Hawaii Headache Research Unit, part of Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience. Dr. Kim is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine .
“Our team of neurologists, neuroscience specialists, and researchers in Hawaii are excited to take part in this clinical trial for prevention of migraines. It’s an important step toward expanding treatment options for Hawaii’s patients, and we’re proud to support research that could truly make a difference.” — Eonjung Angeline Kim, MD
Learn More or Inquire About Participation
Individuals interested in learning more about this migraine prevention research study may:
- Review information through NIH clinical trial resources
- Contact the Hawaii Headache & Facial Pain Center & Hawaii Headache Research Unit
