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

NCT ID NCT05590455

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Adult Infectious Diseases Centre, University Teaching Hospital

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Lusaka, Zambia

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Instituto Nacional de Saude

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Maputo, Mozambique

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Laboratory of clinical research on STD/AIDS - IPEC/FIOCRUZ

    RECRUITING

    Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••