Neuroinflammation is a significant component of Alzheimer disease (AD). Our group recently
demonstrated that regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a compromised phenotype and reduced
suppressive function in AD patients, skewing the immune system toward a proinflammatory
status and potentially contributing to disease progression. Low dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) is
now viewed as a promising immunoregulatory drug with the capacity to selectively expand and
restore functional Tregs. This study is a phase II, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study to assess low dose IL-2 therapy in AD patients. Up to 40 Alzheimer's
disease patients in the mild- to moderate clinical dementia stages (MMSE scores: 12-26) will
be randomized to five-day-courses of subcutaneous IL-2 or placebo for a total of 6 months. We
will evaluate the safety and tolerability of IL-2 treatment and the possible effects of IL-2
treatment on peripheral and central inflammation. The expected time participants will be in
the study is 30 weeks.