Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

UK Pilot Shows Tocilizumab Boosts Depression Remission 54%

6/2/2026

47 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A UK pilot study found tocilizumab improved depression in patients unresponsive to standard drugs.
In a double-blind trial of 30 patients, remission was 54 % with tocilizumab versus 31 % with placebo, NNT five versus about seven for SSRIs.
All participants had low-grade inflammation in two blood tests, the selection criterion.
Researchers plan a phase III randomized trial to confirm immunotherapy’s value for depression.

1 of 1

Story summary

A UK pilot study found tocilizumab improved depression in patients unresponsive to standard drugs.
In a double-blind trial of 30 patients, remission was 54 % with tocilizumab versus 31 % with placebo, NNT five versus about seven for SSRIs.
All participants had low-grade inflammation in two blood tests, the selection criterion.
Researchers plan a phase III randomized trial to confirm immunotherapy’s value for depression.