Randomised controlled trial of GM-CSF in critically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis

BackgroundCritically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis have significantly increased risk of nosocomial infection. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) improves phagocytosis by neutrophils ex vivo. This study tested the hypothesis that GM-CSF improves neutrophil phagocytosis in critically ill patients in whom phagocytosis is known to be impaired.MethodsThis was a multicentre, phase IIa randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Using a personalised medicine approach, only critically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis were included. Patients were randomised 1:1 to subcutaneous GM-CSF (3 μg/kg/day) or placebo, once daily for 4 days. The primary outcome measure was neutrophil phagocytosis 2 days after initiation of GM-CSF. Secondary outcomes included neutrophil phagocytosis over time, neutrophil functions other than phagocytosis, monocyte HLA-DR expression and safety.ResultsThirty-eight patients were recruited from five intensive care units (17 randomised to GM-CSF). Mean neutrophil phagocytosis at day 2 was 57.2% (SD 13.2%) in the GM-CSF group and 49.8% (13.4%) in the placebo group, p=0.73. The proportion of patients with neutrophil phagocytosis≥50% at day 2, and monocyte HLA-DR, appeared significantly higher in the GM-CSF group. Neutrophil functions other than phagocytosis did not appear significantly different between the groups. The most common adverse event associated with GM-CSF was fever.ConclusionsGM-CSF did not improve mean neutrophil phagocytosis at day 2, but was safe and appeared to increase the proportion of patients with adequate phagocytosis. The study suggests proof of principle for a pharmacological effect on neutrophil function in a subset of critically ill patients.

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Evaluating probiotics for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a randomised placebo-controlled multicentre trial protocol and statistical analysis plan for PROSPECT

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025228 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e025228 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jennie Johnstone ◽

Diane Heels-Ansdell ◽

Lehana Thabane ◽

Maureen Meade ◽

John Marshall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Statistical Analysis Plan ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

IntroductionVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common healthcare-associated infection in critically ill patients. Prior studies suggest that probiotics may reduce VAP and other infections in critically ill patients; however, most previous randomised trials were small, single centre studies. The Probiotics: Prevention of Severe Pneumonia and Endotracheal Colonization Trial (PROSPECT) aims to determine the impact of the probioticLactobacillus rhamnosusGG on VAP and other clinically important outcomes in critically ill adults.MethodsPROSPECT is a multicentre, concealed, randomised, stratified, blinded, controlled trial in patients ≥18 years old, anticipated to be mechanically ventilated ≥72 hours, in intensive care units (ICUs) in Canada, the USA and Saudi Arabia. Patients receive either 1×1010 colony forming units ofL. rhamnosusGG twice daily or an identical appearing placebo. Those at increased risk of probiotic infection are excluded. The primary outcome is VAP. Secondary outcomes are other ICU-acquired infections includingClostridioides difficileinfection, diarrhoea (including antibiotic-associated diarrhoea), antimicrobial use, ICU and hospital length of stay and mortality. The planned sample size of 2650 patients is based on an estimated 15% VAP rate and will provide 80% power to detect a 25% relative risk reduction.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol and statistical analysis plan outlines the methodology, primary and secondary analyses, sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses. PROSPECT is approved by Health Canada (#9427-M1133-45C), the research ethics boards of all participating hospitals and Public Health Ontario. Results will be disseminated via academic channels (peer reviewed journal publications, professional healthcare fora including international conferences) and conventional and social media. The results of PROSPECT will inform practice guidelines worldwide.Trialregistration numberNCT02462590; Pre-results.

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Efficacy of halopeRIdol to decrease the burden of Delirium In adult Critically ill patiEnts (EuRIDICE): study protocol for a prospective randomised multi-centre double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in the Netherlands

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036735 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e036735

Author(s):

Lisa Smit ◽

Zoran Trogrlić ◽

John W Devlin ◽

Robert-Jan Osse ◽

Huibert H Ponssen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Neurological Injury ◽

Study Endpoint ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Icu Discharge

IntroductionDelirium in critically ill adults is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased mortality and greater cognitive and functional decline. Current practice guideline recommendations advocate the use of non-pharmacological strategies to reduce delirium. The routine use of scheduled haloperidol to treat delirium is not recommended given a lack of evidence regarding its ability to resolve delirium nor improve relevant short-term and longer-term outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of haloperidol for the treatment of delirium in adult critically ill patients to reduce days spent with coma or delirium.Methods and analysisEuRIDICE is a prospective, multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Study population consists of adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute neurological injury who have delirium based on a positive Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) or Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) assessment. Intervention is intravenous haloperidol 2.5 mg (or matching placebo) every 8 hours, titrated daily based on ICDSC or CAM-ICU positivity to a maximum of 5 mg every 8 hours, until delirium resolution or ICU discharge. Main study endpoint is delirium and coma-free days (DCFD) up to 14 days after randomisation. Secondary endpoints include (1) 28-day and 1-year mortality, (2) cognitive and functional performance at 3 and 12 months, (3) patient and family delirium and ICU experience, (4) psychological sequelae during and after ICU stay, (4) safety concerns associated with haloperidol use and (5) cost-effectiveness. Differences in DCFDs between haloperidol and placebo group will be analysed using Poisson regression analysis. Study recruitment started in February 2018 and continues.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam (MEC2017-511) and by the Institutional Review Boards of the participating sites. Its results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.Trial registrationNCT03628391

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Immunoparesis in the critically ill

10.1093/med/9780199600830.003.0313 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Fabienne Venet ◽

Alain Lepape

Keyword(s):

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Immune Dysfunction ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Gm Csf ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Abnormal Accumulation ◽

Interesting Candidate ◽

Remote Sites

In parallel with an exaggerated pro-inflammatory response, critically-ill patients develop an immunosuppressive phase, termed immunoparesis/immunoparalysis or immune reprogramming. Innate and adaptive immune responses are affected. In particular, impaired neutrophil recruitment to injury sites and abnormal accumulation in remote sites; monocyte deactivation with preferential anti-inflammatory cytokine production and altered antigen presentation capacity; and a dramatic lymphopenia associated with major induction of apoptosis, functional, and phenotypic alterations have been described. The intensity and duration of this injury-induced immune dysfunction have been associated with an increased risk of death and secondary nosocomial infections. Innovative therapeutic strategies aiming at restoring immunological functions are currently being tested. GM-CSF appears to be an interesting candidate while IFN-γ‎ and IL-7 represent novel future therapeutic approaches. There is thus an urgent need for further clinical trials of such immunoadjuvant therapies that should include large cohorts of critically-ill patients stratified by relevant markers of immune dysfunction.

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