Could an arthritis drug help the brain heal after a stroke?
NCT ID NCT06737705
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether baricitinib, an anti-inflammatory drug, can improve neurological outcomes in people who have had a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain). About 110 adults in China will receive either baricitinib plus standard care or standard care alone for 14 days. The study measures recovery using the modified Rankin Scale, which assesses disability after stroke.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- baricitinib
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new treatment to improve recovery after a brain bleed.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 2 trial with only 110 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Baricitinib can suppress the immune system, raising infection risk.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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110 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2025
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* Inclusion criteria 1. Participant (or legally authorized representative) who gives informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in the protocol; 2. Are male or female patients from 18 years of age (inclusive), at the time of enrollment; 3. Have acute, spontaneous, primary, supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), confirmed by head CT scan, at the time of enrollment; * Exclusion criteria 1. Have cerebellar or brainstem ICH; 2. Have secondary ICH due to known or suspected structural abnormality in the brain, i.e., trauma, aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, tumor; 3. Have severe cerebral comorbidities, i.e., historical severe stroke, hydrocephalus, epilepsy; 4. Have known advanced dementia or significant pre-stroke disability (modified Rankin Scale score of \> 1); 5. Have comorbidities might result in pulmonary or cardiac disorders, i.e., interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung tumor, asthma, chronic respiratory failure, chronic heart failure; 6. Have severe immunosuppression, defined as neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count \< 1.0×10\^9 cells/L) or lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count \< 0.2×10\^9 cells/L); 7. Have chronic autoimmune disease, i.e., neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus; 8. Have ever received attenuated live vaccination or immunological treatments (see below) within 4 weeks prior to the enrollment, or intend to receive measures above; * Cytotoxic treatments: cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, etc.; * Biological treatments: adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept (TNF-α inhibitors), tocilizumab (anti-IL-6), secukinumab (anti-IL-17), etc.; * Baricitinib and other JAK inhibitors: tofacitinib, abrocitinib, etc.; * Other treatments: convalescent plasma or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), corticosteroids with dosage over alternative purpose, etc.; * Note: Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are allowed; 9. Have current or historical infections within 2 weeks prior to the enrollment, i.e., pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2 infections, current active tuberculosis; or have ever received antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to the enrollment; 10. Have contraindications for baricitinib, i.e., severe anemia (hemoglobulin \< 80g/L), decompensated kidney disease (eGFR \< 30mL/min/1.73m\^2), or severe liver injury with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 5 times ULN; 11. Have a current diagnosis of active malignancy, history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) within 12 weeks prior to the enrollment or have a history of recurrent DVT/PE (≥ 2 times in total), which could constitute a risk when taking baricitinib in the opinion of the investigator; 12. Are unlikely to finish the whole course of baricitinib administration in the opinion of the investigator (anticipated death or discharge); 13. Are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant or breastfeed during the study; 14. Are recruited for any other clinical trials; 15. Are unsuitable for inclusion in the study in the opinion of the investigator.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University
Fuzhou, Fujian, 350003, China
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First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University
Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, China
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Ganzhou People's Hospital
Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, China
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Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng Brain Hospital
Liaocheng, Shandong, China
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The Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University
Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 400038, China
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Tianjin Huanhu Hospital
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can a herbal formula match traditional medicine for brain bleeds?
- Can a blood marker tell fever from infection in stroke?
- Can blood markers predict brain injury outcomes?
- Can an ancient herbal pill improve outcomes after a bleeding stroke?