Clinical Trial of an IL-23 Inhibitor for Immune Activation in Clinical Trial of an IL-23 Inhibitor for Immune Activation in People With Schizophrenia
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: Placebo, IL-23.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Schizophrenia, Schizo Affective Disorder, Healthy. Basic parameters: 18 years — 64 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
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial of an IL-23 Inhibitor for Immune Activation in People With Schizophrenia
Overview
This 16 week clinical trial investigates a precision-medicine approach to schizophrenia by targeting a biologically distinct subgroup,-approximately one-third of patients-characterized by the presence of anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA IgG+) which is associated with elevated inflammation in the IL-23/IL-17 immune axis (Th17 pathway). This specific biotype is associated with pronounced negative symptoms, cognitive deficits, and reduced white matter integrity. Building on evidence that this pathway can be modulated to improve clinical outcomes, we are conducting a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of mirikizumab, an FDA-approved monoclonal antibody targeting IL-23, in addition to current antipsychotics, in schizophrenia patients who are positive for AGA IgG. The primary objective is to determine whether mirikizumab - a repurposed FDA approved monoclonal antibody treatment inhibiting IL-23-- will be superior to placebo in treating experiential (e.g., anhedonia and asociality) negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. Secondary aims will be to assess changes in T-cell subtypes and relative abundance by gene expression, peripheral cytokines, and neuroimaging markers (in a smaller subset). By focusing on this patient subgroup, who are identified by their immune status, the research aims to provide a targeted, revolutionary treatment for symptoms that have traditionally remained resistant to standard antipsychotic therapies. This protocol includes a screening phase, with a separate consent form which is intended to identify those with AGA IgG antibodies. This screening portion will also serve to compare other aspects of immune functioning and the TH17 pathway between patient groups and controls in order to further characterize and show that Th17 (and similar immune cell lines) are different between AGA IgG positive, AGA IgG negative and healthy controls of either status.
Interventions
- Drug Placebo
Placebo control - Drug IL-23
IL-23 induction dosage at initiation, week 4 and week 8 treatments consisting of 300 mg intravenously (IV) over at least 30 minutes, and one maintenance dose at week 12 consisting of 200 mg subcutaneously (given as either one injection of 200 mg or as two consecutive injections of 100 mg each).
Primary outcome measures
- Change in negative symptoms in schizophrenia [Time frame: 16 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Screening
- Age range of 18-64
- Schizophrenia Group: Meet meet DSM 5 criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Healthy Control Group: Does NOT meet DSM 5 criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.
Exclusion Criteria: Screening
- Known current active infection, or taking an immunosuppressive medications (e.g. oral scheduled corticosteroids, chemotherapy or transplantation or HIV/AIDs associated drugs), or the scheduled use of anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, celecoxib, or naproxen) or aspirin > 81 mg on a daily basis will be excluded.
- Score of less than 10/12 on the ESC
Inclusion Criteria: Clinical Trial
- Age range of 18-64
- Meet meet DSM 5 criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Personal and Social Performance (PSP) Scale score of ≤70.
- Treated with the same antipsychotic for at least 30 days and having received a constant therapeutic dose for at least 15 days prior to study entry
- One test in the past of elevated AGA IgG antibodies (AGA IgG > 15)
Exclusion Criteria: Clinical Trial
- Current infection, including HIV, and Hepatitis C (blood draw) or tuberculosis (TB\*); or an organic brain disorder or medical condition, whose pathology or treatment could alter the presentation or treatment of schizophrenia or significantly increase the risk associated with the proposed treatment protocol.
- Currently taking immunosuppressive medications (e.g. oral scheduled corticosteroids, chemotherapy or transplantation or HIV/AIDs associated drugs); or the scheduled use of anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, celecoxib, or naproxen) or aspirin > 81 mg on a daily basis will be excluded. The use of PRN anti-inflammatory agents will be allowed
- Score of less than 10/12 on the ESC
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC) Outpatient Research Program (ORP); the MPRC Tr — Catonsville
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07615075 · HP-00118919