Sepsis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sepsis, including details on septicemia, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment.

Drotrecogin alpha (activated): the treatment for severe sepsis?

Vincent JL

Free University of Brussels, Erasme University Hospital, Department of Intensive Care, Route de Lennik, 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium. jlvincen@ulb.ac.be

Severe sepsis is common and increasing in incidence. Mortality rates remain high. Discovery of the link between the coagulation system and the inflammatory response to sepsis led to the development of drotrecogin alpha (activated). This recombinant form of the natural anticoagulant, activated protein C, was shown to reduce 28-day mortality from severe sepsis in a large, randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-centre Phase III study. Although subsequent studies have demonstrated that drotrecogin alpha (activated) is not of benefit to all patients with severe sepsis, it does reduce mortality rates in patients at a high risk of death. Drotrecogin alpha (activated) is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Recent studies have shed light on its mode of action, which is primarily attributed today to cytoprotective effects especially on the endothelium with improved microcirculation. Ongoing studies will help define which patients are most likely to benefit, perhaps with the help of biochemical markers.

Published 26 October 2007 in Expert Opin Biol Ther, 7(11): 1763-77.
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