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NCT Number: NCT07615075

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Schizophrenia Healthy Mental Disorders Psychotic Disorders Schizo Affective Disorder Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Age range

18 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC) Outpatient Research Program (ORP); the MPRC Treatment Research Program (TRP)

Catonsville, Maryland, 21228, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Placebo

Drug

Placebo control

IL-23

Drug

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 outcomes

  1. Change in negative symptoms in schizophrenia

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Change in negative symptoms in schizophrenia, specific experiential negative symptoms (i.e., motivation and pleasure) using The Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS) is a clinician-rated tool developed to assess the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, aligning with the NIMH's consensus on negative symptom domains. It comprises two main subscales: the Motivation and Pleasure (MAP) scale and the Expression (EXP) scale. The CAINS-MAP subscale specifically evaluates deficits in motivation, social engagement, and hedonic experience across social, vocational, and recreational contexts.

    The 0-4 Scoring System:0: No impairment (within the range of normal variation)

    • Mild impairment
    • Moderate impairment
    • Moderately severe impairment
    • Severe deficit or impairment. Higher total scores indicate a greater severity of negative symptoms

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ann Kearns, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

410-402-6854

Mathew Glassman, MA

CONTACT

[email protected]

410-402-6411

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial of an IL-23 Inhibitor for Immune Activation in People With Schizophrenia

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2030
First posted
May 29, 2026
Registry last updated
May 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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