Could an Immune-Modulating drug slow early Alzheimer's?
NCT ID NCT04032626
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial investigates whether lenalidomide, a drug that calms inflammation, can slow cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Participants take lenalidomide or a placebo for up to 12 months, followed by a 6-month washout period. The study measures changes in memory, daily function, and safety.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lenalidomide
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new way to treat early Alzheimer's by calming inflammation in the brain and body.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 15 participants, so results may not apply widely. Lenalidomide can cause blood-related side effects, and the drug may not improve cognition.
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
-
15 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2020
- Finished
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May 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
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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50 to 89 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * In order to be eligible for this study, subjects must meet the following inclusion criteria: 1. Male or female outpatients. 2. At least 50 years of age, but less than 90 (89 at time of screening). 3. Females must be surgically sterile (bilateral tubal ligation, oophorectomy, or hysterectomy) or postmenopausal for 2 years (no women at risk of pregnancy will be accepted in this study). 4. Must have been diagnosed with amnestic MCI based on the most recent NIA-AA criteria (Albert et al., 2011), i.e. at both the screening and baseline visits (visits 1 and 2) have a documented Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) score between 22-28. 5. CT or MRI scan of the brain obtained during the course of the dementia must be consistent with the diagnosis and show no evidence of significant focal lesions or of pathology which could contribute to dementia. If neither a CT nor an MRI scan is available from the past 12 months, a CT scan fulfilling the requirements must be obtained before randomization. 6. Vision and hearing must be sufficient to comply with study procedures. 7. Be able to take oral medications. 8. Hachinski ischemic score must be ≤ 4. 9. Geriatric depression scale must be ≤ 10. 10. Can be on stable doses of a cholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine as long as it is stable for at least 90 days before the Baseline (Week 00) and is expected to remain on a stable dose for the remainder of the study period; or have demonstrated intolerance to or lack of efficacy from these medications. 11. Must have a collateral informant/study partner who has significant direct contact with the patient at least 10 hours per week and who is willing to accompany the patient to all clinic visits and to be present during all telephone visits/interviews. 12. If the patient has a legally authorized representative (LAR), the LAR must review and sign the informed consent form. If the patient does not have an LAR, the patient must appear able to provide informed consent and must review and sign the informed consent form. In addition, the patient's informant/study partner (as defined above) must sign the informed consent form. If the LAR and the patient's informant /study partner is the same individual, he/she should sign under both designations. 13. Must be able to attend all study visits indicated in the schedule of visits. 14. Patients with stable prostate cancer may be included at the discretion of the Medical Monitor. 15. Medical records must document evidence of amnestic MCI with 1 of the following: MRI with hippocampal volume in the 5th percentile or lower for age, Amyloid PET positive at SUVr ≥ 1.05, CSF Tau profile with ATI lower than 1.0, FDG PET showing hypometabolism in the parietal temporal regions, or genetic confirmation of APOE4 (heterozygous or homozygous). Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects will be excluded if they have any of the condition listed below: 1. Current evidence or history within the last 3 years of a neurological or psychiatric illness that could contribute to dementia, including (but not limited to) epilepsy, focal brain lesion, Parkinson's disease, seizure disorder, head injury with loss of consciousness 2. DSM IV criteria for any major psychiatric disorder including psychosis, major depression and bipolar disorder. 3. Known history or self-reported alcohol or substance abuse. 4. Isolated living circumstances which would prohibit a study partner from providing sufficient and credible information about the participant. 5. Poorly controlled hypertension. 6. History of myocardial infarction or signs or symptoms of unstable coronary artery disease within the last year (including revascularization procedure/angioplasty). 7. Severe pulmonary disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) requiring more than 2 hospitalizations within the past year. 8. Untreated sleep apnea. 9. Any thyroid disease (unless euthyroid or on treatment for at least 6 months prior to screening). 10. Active neoplastic disease (except for skin tumors other than melanoma). Patients with a history of prior malignancy are eligible provided they were treated with curative intent and (i) do not require any longer any active therapy; (ii) being considered in complete remission; and (iii) after the Medical Monitor's assessment/approval of each case. 11. History of multiple myeloma. 12. Absolute neutropenia of \<750mm3, or history of neutropenia. 13. History of or current thromboembolism (including deep venous thrombosis). 14. Any clinically significant hepatic or renal disease (including presence of Hepatitis B or C antigen/antibody or an elevated transaminase levels of greater than two times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or creatinine greater than 1.5 x ULN). 15. Clinically significant hematologic or coagulation disorder including any unexplained anemia or a platelet count less than 100,000/μL at screening. 16. Use of any investigational drug within 30 days or within five half-lives of the investigational agent, whichever is longer. 17. Use any investigational medical device within two weeks before screening or after end of the present study. 18. Females who are at risk of pregnancy or are of child bearing age. 19. Any other disease or condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the patient unsuitable to participate in this clinical trial. 20. Unwilling or unable to undergo MRI and PET imaging. 21. Cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator or other implanted device. 22. In the opinion of the Investigator, participation would not be in the best interest of the subject.
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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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Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain health
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89103, United States
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St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona, 85013, United States
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