Minocycline Phase II clinical trial results are disappointing

HD Lighthouse Contributing Editor's Comment: 

The Huntington Study Group has posted the results of its phase II clinical trial of minocycline. 

Minocycline was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial designed to assess safety and tolerability and to determine if a final Phase III trial was warranted.   While the 200 mg per day dosage was safe and well-tolerated for the 18 months of the study, the results showed that minocycline is unlikely to be a meaningful treatment for Huntington’s Disease.

We will report in more detail when the full study report is available.

Minocycline is an antibiotic with anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties.  It looked promising in the R6/2 mouse model but not in the N171-82Q mice. 

Our thanks go out to the volunteers who participated in this trial.   Although a treatment was not identified, insight is always gained from research, even from negative results.

Resources can now be redirected to more promising drugs and supplements in the research pipeline.  We can expect to see trials with drugs that precisely target disease mechanisms.

-- Marsha L. Miller, Ph.D.
Posted to the HDL: 04-23-2009