Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42123331›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

Immune System Alterations in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review of the Current Evidence and Future Directions.

Marek Krzystanek, Rafał Bieś, Monika Bąk-Sosnowska

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Marek KrzystanekDepartment of Clinical and Community Psychiatry and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, WSB University, Cieplaka 1c, 41-300 Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland.
Rafał BieśDepartment and Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Doctoral School, Medical University of Silesia, Ziołowa 45/47, 40-635 Katowice, Poland.ORCID 0009-0005-0583-6661
Monika Bąk-SosnowskaDepartment of Clinical and Community Psychiatry and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, WSB University, Cieplaka 1c, 41-300 Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-4970-0545

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) remains a significant clinical challenge due to limited therapeutic options and a poor understanding of its underlying biology. Recent findings suggest that immune system dysregulation may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of TRS. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on immunological abnormalities associated with TRS, with a focus on inflammatory markers, immune cell profiles, and the role of autoantibodies, and to explore their potential utility in diagnosis and treatment. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, incorporating clinical, molecular, and translational studies on immunological markers in patients with TRS. Included studies assessed cytokine levels, immune cell phenotypes, autoantibodies, genetic factors, and the effects of immunomodulatory therapies. Emphasis was placed on findings differentiating TRS from treatment-responsive schizophrenia. TRS is associated with distinct immune profiles, including elevated IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and sCD25 levels, overexpression of CD33 on monocytes and expansion of CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Autoantibodies, particularly those targeting glutamatergic receptors, are more prevalent in TRS and decrease with clozapine treatment. Predictive models using IgM autoantibodies and genetic variants show promise for early identification of at-risk individuals. Emerging immunomodulatory treatments such as rituximab, levamisole, and senolytics are under investigation, offering potential for personalized strategies. Immunological dysfunction represents a reproducible and biologically relevant feature of TRS. Integration of immune biomarkers into clinical practice may enhance diagnostic precision and inform personalized therapeutic approaches. Future research should prioritize standardized biomarker protocols and longitudinal studies to validate causal associations and optimize treatment algorithms.

Indexed as

Immune SystemSchizophreniaSchizophrenia, Treatment-ResistantAntipsychotic AgentsAutoantibodiesBiomarkersCytokinesHumansAntipsychotic AgentsAutoantibodiesBiomarkersCytokinesautoantibodiesbiomarkersclozapinecytokinesimmune dysregulationimmunomodulatory therapyimmunopsychiatryneuroinflammationpersonalized psychiatrytreatment-resistant schizophreniaTRS

Identifiers

PMID42123331
PMCPMC13163644

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.