Major Depressive Disorder study: Tocilizumab
Official title Neutralizing Interleukin (IL)-6
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07493317
What this study is testing
What is Tocilizumab?
An investigational once-every-two-weeks injectable medicine being studied for Major Depressive Disorder. It is designed to block the interleukin‑6 receptor, reducing peripheral immune signaling.
Plain-language explanation of the investigational treatment. It is being studied and is not an approved or proven therapy. The study team can confirm the details.
- What it's testing
- The study wants to see if blocking IL‑6 with tocilizumab is safe and could improve brain and mood responses in people with major depression and immune activation.
- Who it's for
- Adults with major depressive disorder who have specific blood markers indicating inflammation.
- What's involved
- Participants with depression will receive injections of tocilizumab for 8 weeks, while a separate group of healthy people will only have blood tests and brain scans. Blood and MRI scans will be done before and after treatment.
- Time commitment
- The study lasts 8 weeks for the treatment group, with regular visits for injections and blood draws, plus a final brain scan. Healthy controls only have baseline tests.
- Phase 2: a mid-size study of how well it works
- Time commitment: about 8 weeks
A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
Ages 18 to 70. Healthy volunteers may be eligible.
You may be able to join if
- Written informed consent;
- Ability to comply with the requirements of the study as determined by the PI;
- Ages 18-70 years;
- Any gender;
- DSM-5 diagnosis of MDD in a current Major Depressive Episode;
You likely can't join if
- For MDD Participants
- A primary DSM-5 psychiatric diagnosis other than MDD, with the exception of comorbid anxiety disorders (including agoraphobia, generalized anxiety...
- History of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, other psychotic disorder, MDD with psychotic features, or bipolar I or II disorder.
- Diagnosis of a major neurocognitive disorder.
- Moderate or severe substance use disorder within the past 6 months (excluding nicotine use disorder).
- Positive urine toxicology screen for illicit substances at screening.
See the full eligibility criteria
- Written informed consent;
- Ability to comply with the requirements of the study as determined by the PI;
- Ages 18-70 years;
- Any gender;
- DSM-5 diagnosis of MDD in a current Major Depressive Episode;
- Immune enrichment criterion: elevated monocyte count ≥ 500 cells/μL at screening;
- If patient is on antidepressant medication, they must be on a stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to treatment;
- SHAPS score ≥20
- If female of childbearing potential, must agree to use of a medically accepted form of contraception, or else agree to abstinence until 6 months after the last dose of study drug;
- Male patients, if heterosexually active with a partner who is female of childbearing potential, pregnant, or breastfeeding, must agree to barrier contraception for the treatment period and for at least 6 months after...
- Written informed consent;
- Ability to comply with the requirements of the study as determined by the PI;
- Ages 18-70
- Any gender;
- No current or past DSM-5 psychiatric disorder;
- Meet all MRI safety criteria.
- For MDD Participants
- A primary DSM-5 psychiatric diagnosis other than MDD, with the exception of comorbid anxiety disorders (including agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder) and post-traumatic...
- History of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, other psychotic disorder, MDD with psychotic features, or bipolar I or II disorder.
- Diagnosis of a major neurocognitive disorder.
- Moderate or severe substance use disorder within the past 6 months (excluding nicotine use disorder).
- Positive urine toxicology screen for illicit substances at screening.
- Suicide attempt within the past 2 years, or
- C-SSRS ideation score \>2 within the past month.
- Any contraindication to MRI, including claustrophobia, retained metallic foreign bodies, magnetic implants or pacemakers, or inability to tolerate MRI procedures.
- Clinically significant abnormalities on physical examination or laboratory testing.
- Unstable or clinically significant medical illness, including but not limited to hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease), endocrine, neurologic (including history...
- Evidence of active or untreated infection, including
- Active tuberculosis (TB) or untreated latent TB
- Positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold test at screening
- Known HIV infection
- Active Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infection
- Current or recent (within an appropriate washout period) use of biologic therapies or other immunosuppressive agents (PRN NSAIDs permitted).
- Known hypersensitivity to tocilizumab or its excipients.
- Receipt of a live or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to first dose, or planned receipt during the study period.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or unwillingness to use effective contraception during the study and for 6 months after the last dose.
- Any condition that, in the opinion of the PI, would compromise participant safety or data integrity. For Healthy Volunteers
- Any current or unstable medical illness, including hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease), endocrine, neurologic (including history of severe head injury)...
- Use of biologic therapies or immunosuppressive agents (PRN NSAIDs permitted).
- Positive urine toxicology screen for illicit substances at screening.
- Pregnancy at the time of baseline assessments (e.g., MRI).
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where it is enrolling
- New York, New York, United States
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part, but confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The study runs about 8 weeks per participant, based on its public description. The team confirms the exact schedule and number of visits before you enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 18 years to 70 years. Healthy volunteers may be eligible. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where is this trial taking place?
This study is enrolling now at New York, New York, United States. Enter your location above to see the nearest enrolling site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool that is independent of the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov. The study team decides eligibility, and your own doctor gives medical advice.