Low Dose IL-2 Therapy in Patients With a Depressive Episode in the Course of a Bipolar Disorder

A hypothesis still under study concerning the pathophysiological mechanisms of bipolar disorder concerns an immunological disorder that could possibly be involved in this disease and during a depressive episode. In particular, that the multiplication of a certain category of white blood cells called "regulators" that block the toxic effect of more aggressive white blood cells could improve these disorders. The aim of this research is therefore to check the effectiveness and safety of injections of Interleukin 2 (IL-2) to induce this multiplication of regulatory white blood cells. IL-2 is a natural protein released by white blood cells that is used for the proper functioning of the immune defence system. The favourable effects of injecting small doses of IL-2 are known and assessed in other diseases, including autoimmune diseases. The secondary objective of this study is to assess the effect of these injections on patient's mood, which could be improved by this treatment.