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health11h ago
New depression treatment targets the immune system instead of the brain
- A small randomized trial tested tocilizumab, an anti-inflammatory drug, for treatment-resistant depression and found greater improvement in several symptoms compared with placebo.
- Patients on tocilizumab showed greater improvement over time in depression severity, fatigue, anxiety, and overall quality of life.
- The trial reported a higher remission rate with 54% of the treated group achieving depression remission versus 31% on placebo.
- The study suggests targeting the IL-6 inflammatory pathway may offer a new approach for treating some forms of depression.
- Larger, phase III trials are planned to determine whether immunotherapy should become a standard treatment for depression.
- The research team is led by Golam M. Khandakar of the University of Bristol, with participation from the MRC IEU and NIHR BRC Bristol and Cambridge.
- The study was conducted in part at the University of Cambridge and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
- The trial focused on individuals with both treatment-resistant depression and signs of low-grade inflammation in their blood tests.
- Inflammation and the IL-6 pathway are potential targets for personalized depression care, helping match treatments to biology.
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