Direct hemoperfusion with a cytokine-adsorbing device for the treatment of persistent or severe hypercytokinemia: A pilot study

Background/Aims: Cytokine overproduction has been noted during the aggravation of clinical conditions. Countermeasures to control hypercytokinemia are therefore important in critical care. We investigated the clinical efficacy of hemoadsorption therapy using a new cytokine-adsorbing device in critically ill patients with persistent or severe hypercytokinemia. Methods: Direct hemoperfusion using the CYT-860, a cytokine-adsorber column (CYT-860-DHP), was performed in critically ill patients with hypercytokinemia. To evaluate the efficacy of CYT-860-DHP, changes in pathological and clinical parameters were examined. Results: Seven patients with hypercytokinemia and a SOFA score of ≥5 underwent CYT-860-DHP treatment. Four patients survived 28 days after CYT-860-DHP treatment. Significant decreases in blood levels of cytokines were observed. PaO₂/F_IO₂ improved significantly. Conclusion: The possibility that CYT-860-DHP treatment can reduce blood cytokine levels and thereby improve the general condition of patients was suggested. These findings warrant the initiation of a prospective randomized trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy of CYT-860-DHP treatment.