Low Dose IL-2 Therapy in Patients With a Depressive Episode in the Course of a Bipolar Disorder (DEPIL-2)
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04133233 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : October 21, 2019
Last Update Posted : November 7, 2022
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Bipolar Depression | Drug: ILT101 Drug: Placebos | Phase 2 |
A hypothesis still under study concerning the pathophysiological mechanisms of bipolar disorder concerns an immunological disorder that could possibly be involved in this disease and during a depressive episode. In particular, that the multiplication of a certain category of white blood cells called "regulators" that block the toxic effect of more aggressive white blood cells could improve these disorders.
The aim of this research is therefore to check the effectiveness and safety of injections of Interleukin 2 (IL-2) to induce this multiplication of regulatory white blood cells.
IL-2 is a natural protein released by white blood cells that is used for the proper functioning of the immune defence system. The favourable effects of injecting small doses of IL-2 are known and assessed in other diseases, including autoimmune diseases.
The secondary objective of this study is to assess the effect of these injections on patient's mood, which could be improved by this treatment.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 18 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (2 active: 1 placebo), multicentre, 6-week, proof-of concept trial of add on low dose IL-2 therapy in patients with a depressive episode in the course of a bipolar disorder, hospitalized or not. The study will be an add-on study, with no wash-out period. |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Low Dose IL-2 Therapy in Patients With a Depressive Episode in the Course of a Bipolar Disorder |
Actual Study Start Date : | June 15, 2020 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | February 15, 2023 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | April 15, 2023 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: active treatment
IL-2 (ILT-101) Sub-cutaneous 1 million UI/j |
Drug: ILT101
Treatment administration consists in a first course of five-day treatment (induction), followed by a single injection every week for 4 weeks (maintenance; from Week 3 to Week 6)
Other Name: IL2 |
Placebo Comparator: placebo
placebo Sub-cutaneous The Placebo used is a sterile powder that will be produced by the CMO (AMATSI, France).
|
Drug: Placebos
Treatment administration consists in a first course of five-day treatment (induction), followed by a single injection every week for 4 weeks (maintenance; from Week 3 to Week 6)
Other Name: placebo |
- change of Treg response [ Time Frame: baseline to Day 5 ]Percentage Treg fold increase compared to baseline at Day 5
- Treg response, under ld-IL2 in relation with symptomatic assessment of mood improvements [ Time Frame: from baseline to week 6 ]Change in the value of Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating and in The inventory of depressive symptomatology
- changes in immune homeostasis under ld-IL2 in relation with symptomatic assessment of mood improvements [ Time Frame: between Day 5 and Day 60 ]variation in Treg /CD4+ at different visit expressed as percentage of baseline value
- Assess the incidence of ld-IL2(safety and tolerability) in patients with a depressive episode in the course of a bipolar disorder [ Time Frame: baseline to Day 60 ]Frequency and type of adverse events during the trial.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- A depressive episode according to DSM-V criteria in the course of a bipolar disorder
- MADRS score > 17
- Already on a mood stabilizer and/or antidepressant
- Patient with a normal or controlled thyroid function
- Male or female both using effective methods of contraception during treatment if sexually active.
Exclusion Criteria:
- - Contraindication to IL-101 therapy:
- Hypersensitivity to active substance or excipient;
- Active infection requiring antibiotics therapy;
- Organ failure (e.g., liver, kidney, lung and heart);
- Immunosuppressed patient
- Hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, myelotoxic or cardiotoxic drugs
- Other chronic diseases
- Signs of active infection requiring treatment
- Previous history of organ transplantation
- Leukocytes < 4000 / mm3, platelets < 100 000 / mm3, Hemoglobin < 10.0 g/dL or 6.2 mmol/L, red cell blood < 3.5 T/L.
- Anti-TPO or anti-TG or anti-TRACKS positive at inclusion.
- Use of anti-inflammatory medication on a regular basis for a chronic inflammatory/autoimmune Disorder (NSAD, immunosuppressant IV-Ig based treatment);
- Ongoing fever < 38
- uncontrolled diabetes type I or II;
- Existing cancer or history of cancer in the last 5 years (except skin epidermoid cancer or in-situ cervix cancer);
- Existing or planned pregnancy or lactation;
- Person under legal protection (1121-8 of CSP, Public Health Code
- Pregnant and parturient and Breast feeding women (1121-5 of CSP)
- legally detained person (1121-6 of CSP)
- hospitalisation without consent
- under the age of majority (1121-7of CSP)
- Immediate risk for suicidal behaviour (MADRS-item 10 >2 or columbia > 2 for suicide idea);
- Known HIV infection or clinically manifest Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease, or any other serious condition likely to interfere with the conduct of the trial;
- Participation to an interventional study concomitantly or within 30 days prior to this study, except in the cohorts studies aiming at the analysis of immuno-inflammatory biomarkers and/or brain imaging studies.
- Patients thought to be unreliable or incapable of complying with the requirements of the protocol;
- Patient is relative of, or staff directly reporting to the investigator;
- Patient is employee of the sponsor.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04133233
Contact: Marion Leboyer, Pr | 01 49 81 30 51 ext +33 | marion.leboyer@inserm.fr | |
Contact: Jean-Romain Richard | 01 49 81 31 31 | jean-romain.richard@inserm.fr |
France | |
Pr Marion Leboyer | Recruiting |
Créteil, Hôpital Albert Chenevier, France, 94010 |
Study Chair: | Marion Leboyer, Pr | Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris |
Responsible Party: | Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT04133233 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
D20180617 2018-002777-22 ( EudraCT Number ) MEDAECNAT-2018-10-00069 ( Other Identifier: ANSM ) |
First Posted: | October 21, 2019 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | November 7, 2022 |
Last Verified: | November 2022 |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Low dose of IL-2 Treg response |
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar and Related Disorders Mood Disorders Mental Disorders |