Tocilizumab versus Placebo for Treatment-Resistant Depression with Low-Grade Inflammation: A Randomized Triple-Blind Clinical Trial Protocol
This proof-of-concept trial examines whether IL-6 inhibition via tocilizumab can improve depressive symptoms and cognitive function in adults with treatment-resistant major depression who have elevated inflammation markers. The study randomizes 22 patients to a single tocilizumab infusion or placebo with follow-up assessments at days 7, 14, and 28, using healthy controls as biomarker comparators.