Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the efficacy of adjunctive monoclonal antibody antiendotoxin immunotherapy in patients with gram-negative sepsis.

DESIGN:

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING:

Thirty-three university-affiliated centers, including Veterans Affairs, community, and municipal hospitals.

PATIENTS:

Hospitalized adults with signs of gram-negative infection and a systemic septic response.

INTERVENTION:

Patients were assigned to receive either 2 mg/kg of a murine monoclonal antibody directed against gram-negative endotoxin (E5) or placebo. A second infusion was administered 24 hours later.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Mortality over the 30-day study period, resolution of organ failures, and safety.

RESULTS:

Four hundred eighty-six patients were enrolled. Three hundred sixteen had confirmed gram-negative sepsis (54% bacteremic, 46% nonbacteremic). The survival difference was not statistically significant for all patients. Among patients with gram-negative sepsis who were not in shock at study entry (n = 137), E5 treatment resulted in significantly greater survival (relative risk, 2.3; P = .01). Resolution of individual organ failures was more frequent among these patients, occurring in 19 (54%) of 35 patients in the E5 group vs eight (30%) of 27 in the placebo group (P = .05). Four reversible allergic reactions occurred among 247 patients (1.6%) receiving E5. No other toxicity was identified.

CONCLUSIONS:

Treatment with E5 antiendotoxin antibody appears safe. It reduces mortality and enhances the resolution of organ failure among patients with gram-negative sepsis who are not in shock when treated.