Could an arthritis drug save lives from a deadly brain infection?

NCT ID NCT05590455

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: ANRS, Emerging Infectious Diseases Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding adalimumab (an arthritis drug) to standard tuberculosis meningitis treatment can reduce deaths in HIV-positive adults. About 130 participants in Brazil, Mozambique, and Zambia will receive adalimumab injections every two weeks for 10 weeks alongside anti-TB drugs and steroids. The study focuses on survival at three months and monitors for serious infections and side effects.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: adalimumab (a TNF inhibitor injection)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment that lowers the high death rate from tuberculosis meningitis in people with HIV.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial (130 participants) testing safety and effectiveness. Adding a strong immune-suppressing drug may increase the risk of serious infections.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

HIV infectious disease meningeal tuberculosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HIV I INFECTION TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Adult Infectious Diseases Centre, University Teaching Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Lusaka, Zambia
Instituto Nacional de Saude
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Maputo, Mozambique
Laboratory of clinical research on STD/AIDS - IPEC/FIOCRUZ
RECRUITING

Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil

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