Sepsis future or investigational therapies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Parth Vikram Singh, MBBS [2]

Synonyms and keywords: sepsis syndrome; septic shock; septicemia

Emerging Areas of Research

There is an increasing focus on the heterogeneity of sepsis, with ongoing work in several domains:^[1]

Endotypes and subphenotypes: Distinct biological profiles, including transcriptomic and metabolic traits, are being investigated to classify patients into clinically meaningful subgroups.
Predictive analytics: Machine learning models, such as those described by Pirracchio et al. (2020), are being evaluated for their ability to anticipate individual treatment responses and guide precision therapy.
Targeted therapies for host dysregulation: Therapeutic development remains limited in areas such as vascular permeability, complement pathway modulation, and restoration of immune function, highlighting current gaps in treatment.
Global Context: Most randomized controlled trials of sepsis management have been conducted in high-income countries (HICs). Data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) suggest that responses to treatment may differ due to variations in available resources, baseline comorbidities, and pathogen prevalence. For example, the SSSP-2 trial conducted in Zambia highlights the need for context-specific strategies in resource-limited settings.

References

↑ Meyer NJ, Prescott HC (December 2024). “Sepsis and Septic Shock”. N Engl J Med. 391 (22): 2133–2146. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2403213. PMID 39774315 Check |pmid= value (help).