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Recruiting NCT05644301

INflammation-based Stratification for Immune-Targeted Augmentation in Major Depressive Disorder

Phase III Interventional Major Depressive Disorder Inflammation

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Celecoxib, Minocyclin, Placebo.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Major Depressive Disorder, Inflammation. Basic parameters: 18 years — 65 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Belgium
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

INflammation-based Stratification for Immune-Targeted Augmentation in Major Depressive

Overview

This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which patients with major depressive disorder will receive augmentation through minocycline (MCO), celecoxib (CXB) or placebo.

Detailed description

This project aims to repurpose two established anti-inflammatory compounds as adjuvant therapy for immune-mediated depression, in line with state-of-the-art research of the last 10 years. Immune-mediated depression represents a subtype which accounts for approximately 30% of depressive disorders. Patients with this immunosubtype are more likely to have a higher severity of depression, a lower quality of life and more somatic symptoms. Furthermore it is accompanied by a high incidence of treatment resistance. While their mechanisms of action completely differ from those of existing antidepressant treatment options, immunomodulatory drugs celecoxib and minocycline have proven their merit as add-on treatment in depressive episodes. They have been on the Belgian market for years and come with a known pharmacological and safety profile. Patient stratification at baseline based on inflammatory status will reveal which inflammatory subpopulation benefits most from each of the two investigated anti-inflammatory compounds. Additionally, our distinctive study design allows head-to-head comparison of both add-on therapies and will as such provide the last stepping stones towards clinical implementation of individualised treatment strategies in depression.

Interventions

  • Drug Celecoxib
    Oral capsule, 200 mg, twice daily, for 12 weeks
  • Drug Minocyclin
    Oral capsule, 100 mg, twice daily, for 12 weeks
  • Drug Placebo
    Oral capsule, no active substance, twice daily, for 12 weeks

Primary outcome measures

  • Change in depressive symptom severity (HDRS-17) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Remission rate of depression (HDRS-17) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
Secondary outcome measures (11)
  • Change in depressive symptom severity (IDS-30SR) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Response rate of depressive symptoms (HDRS-17) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Change in night-time sleep (PSQI) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Change in anxiety (STAI) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Change in core assessment of psychomotor change (CORE) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Depressive symptom profiles (IDS-SR) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Therapy compliance (MARS) [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Adverse effects [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Metabolic blood markers [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Other metabolic measures [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]
  • Other metabolic measures [Time frame: T0 -> T6 (12 weeks)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Male or female, 18-65 years inclusive.
  • Able and willing to give informed consent and take oral medication.
  • Physically healthy.
  • Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder by DSM-5 criteria, confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
  • The current episode of depression has failed to remit to the current antidepressant treatment at the adequate dose (as defined in the Maudsley Prescribing guidelines). Relapse while taking an antidepressant is also considered a treatment failure.
  • Tolerant to the current antidepressant and having no planned changes in their current therapy for the duration of the study.
  • Stable on current treatment for a minimum of 4 weeks (6 weeks for fluoxetine) prior to baseline.
  • If female and of childbearing age, willing to use adequate contraceptive precautions and willing to take a pregnancy test at baseline.

Exclusion criteria

  • Primary diagnosis of a bipolar disorder, psychotic spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or alcohol and/or substance use disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (< 4 weeks before screening, excl. nicotine and caffeine).
  • Use of immunosuppressant or immunostimulant drugs within 21 days of screening (e.g., glucocorticoid treatment, methotrexate, etc.).
  • History of peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
  • Having an acute infection or inflammatory bowel disorder.
  • Current severe cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure (NYHA-class II-IV), ischemic or thrombotic events or unstable coronary artery (incl. coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery),
  • Liver impairment (alanine aminotransferase > 2x upper limit, serum albumin < 25 g/l or Child-Pugh Score ≥ 10)
  • Renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min).
  • Having received >14 days of tetracycline or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication within the previous 2 months, or having a history of sensitivity or intolerance to these classes of drugs.
  • Chronic severe hypertension (systolic BP > 170 mmHg).
  • Serology positive for hepatitis-B surface antigen, hepatitis-C antibodies or HIV antibodies.
  • Received electroconvulsive therapy < 2 months prior to screening.
  • Blood donation in 30 days prior to screening.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Currently enrolled in an intervention study.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple blind
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

Belgium · 3 centers
  • UPC Duffel — Duffel
  • UZ Brussel — Brussels
  • Katholiek Universiteit Leuven Campus Kortenberg — Leuven

Publications

  • Osimo EF, Baxter LJ, Lewis G, Jones PB, Khandaker GM. Prevalence of low-grade inflammation in depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of CRP levels. Psychol Med. 2019 Sep;49(12):1958-1970. doi: 10.1017/S0033291719001454. Epub 2019 Jul 1. PMID 31258105
  • Foley EM, Parkinson JT, Kappelmann N, Khandaker GM. Clinical phenotypes of depressed patients with evidence of inflammation and somatic symptoms. Compr Psychoneuroendocrinol. 2021 Aug 5;8:100079. doi: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100079. eCollection 2021 Nov. PMID 34729541
  • Carvalho LA, Torre JP, Papadopoulos AS, Poon L, Juruena MF, Markopoulou K, Cleare AJ, Pariante CM. Lack of clinical therapeutic benefit of antidepressants is associated overall activation of the inflammatory system. J Affect Disord. 2013 May 15;148(1):136-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.10.036. Epub 2012 Nov 27. PMID 23200297
  • Wessa C, Janssens J, Coppens V, El Abdellati K, Vergaelen E, van den Ameele S, Baeken C, Zeeuws D, Milaneschi Y, Lamers F, Penninx B, Claes S, Morrens M, De Picker L. Efficacy of inflammation-based stratification for add-on celecoxib or minocycline in major depressive disorder: Protocol of the INSTA-MD double-blind placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2024 Sep 19 PMID 39350954

Identifiers

NCT: NCT05644301 · T001222N

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗