Expert opinion on investigational drugs
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Expert Opin Investig Drugs · Nov 2011
ReviewThe evolving experience with therapeutic TNF inhibition in sepsis: considering the potential influence of risk of death.
Septic shock is highly lethal and its incidence is increasing. Although TNF-α plays a key role in sepsis pathogenesis, past efforts to therapeutically inhibit it had limited success. However, there is continued interest in such therapies and there are now ongoing Phase II sepsis trials testing the effects of AZD9773, a TNF-directed polyclonal antibody fragment preparation. Experience with anti-inflammatory agents suggested that their efficacy may relate to sepsis-associated risk of death. ⋯ Discusses variables that may need to be accounted for to maximize the success of clinical trials in sepsis testing agents that modulate host inflammation.