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Kinetics of INF-γ Production in Intensive Care Patients

Kinetics of INF-γ Production in Intensive Care Patients-Monitoring of INF-γ in Intensive Care

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06549374
Acronym
IGREY
Enrollment
200
Registered
2024-08-12
Start date
2025-04-24
Completion date
2026-10-24
Last updated
2026-05-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Intensive Care

Keywords

INF-γ, Inflammation, immunostimulation

Brief summary

Most patients admitted to intensive care after severe trauma, high-risk surgery, or acute respiratory distress are frequently characterized by significant initial inflammation accompanied by a compensatory anti-inflammatory response, which can lead to profound post-aggressive immunosuppression. This immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of nosocomial infections, viral reactivations, prolonged ICU stays, and ultimately, increased mortality. Consequently, immunostimulation with agents such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) has been proposed as a means to restore immune defense in the most severe patients. However, in a recent study conducted on mechanically ventilated patients with acute organ failure, treatment with interferon gamma-1b compared to placebo did not significantly reduce the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia or 28-day mortality and was even associated with an increase in severe side effects, leading to the premature termination of the trial. These results, along with previous studies, suggest that for IFN-γ to be effective, it must be targeted at patients who have reached the immunosuppressive phase. In the absence of evident clinical signs, the use of biomarkers could guide clinicians in identifying the appropriate patients and the optimal timing for this therapy. In a recent monocentric study, they evaluated a new automated IFN-γ assay on a cohort of 22 septic patients to monitor T lymphocyte functionality independently of antigen. As expected, the results showed a marked decrease in IFN-γ release, which correlated with altered classical cellular parameters (CD8+ T cells, mHLA-DR). Since the test is performed using whole blood, requires no technician intervention, and provides results within four hours, this project propose to characterize the evolution of the immune status of a large cohort of ICU patients, including those with severe trauma, high-risk surgery, or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Detailed description

Most patients admitted to intensive care after severe trauma, high-risk surgery, or acute respiratory distress are frequently characterized by significant initial inflammation accompanied by a compensatory anti-inflammatory response, which can lead to profound post-aggressive immunosuppression. This immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of nosocomial infections, viral reactivations, prolonged ICU stays, and ultimately, increased mortality. Consequently, immunostimulation with agents such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) has been proposed as a means to restore immune defense in the most severe patients. However, in a recent study conducted on mechanically ventilated patients with acute organ failure, treatment with interferon gamma-1b compared to placebo did not significantly reduce the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia or 28-day mortality and was even associated with an increase in severe side effects, leading to the premature termination of the trial. These results, along with previous studies, suggest that for IFN-γ to be effective, it must be targeted at patients who have reached the immunosuppressive phase. In the absence of evident clinical signs, the use of biomarkers could guide clinicians in identifying the appropriate patients and the optimal timing for this therapy. Among the described immune alterations and associated biomarkers in critically ill patients, the decrease in Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA-DR) expression on monocytes (mHLA-DR) has been studied more extensively and is now considered a reliable biomarker for guiding myeloid-targeted immunotherapies. While functional tests are the best means to explore acquired immunosuppression in the ICU, as they directly measure the capacity of a given cell population to respond to an in vitro stimulus, they present analytical obstacles to their deployment. Most protocols are "homemade" and lack standardization, which is a major obstacle to large-scale trials and their use in clinical practice. In a recent monocentric study, they evaluated a new automated IFN-γ assay on a cohort of 22 septic patients to monitor T lymphocyte functionality independently of antigen. As expected, the results showed a marked decrease in IFN-γ release, which correlated with altered classical cellular parameters (CD8+ T cells, mHLA-DR). Since the test is performed using whole blood, requires no technician intervention, and provides results within four hours, this project propose to characterize the evolution of the immune status of a large cohort of ICU patients, including those with severe trauma, high-risk surgery, or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Interventions

OTHERblood sampling

After informing eligible patients (or their trusted support person, relative/guardian/curator where applicable) and in the absence of any opposition, they are included in the research. Blood samples from an arterial catheter already in place will be taken every day from D1 to D7, then every 72 hours until discharge from intensive care, or until D28. For each of these samples, a maximum volume of 4 ml will be collected in a heparinized tube. Samples will not be taken if the hemoglobin level is below 7g/dl. For patients undergoing controlled surgery, the D1 sample will be taken as soon as possible after induction of anaesthesia. Patients will be monitored until discharge from intensive care, or until D28 at the latest. Apart from the blood samples included in this study, all other examinations will be carried out as part of routine management. Data will be collected exclusively from medical records.

Sponsors

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Aged 18 years or older * Patients admitted to intensive care after severe trauma, or presenting with acute respiratory distress, or undergoing cardiac, vascular, or digestive surgery with planned postoperative intensive care.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
INF-γ production in patients admitted to intensive care after severe trauma, high-risk surgery, or acute respiratory distressDaily value from day 1 to day 7, then every 72 hours until discharge from intensive care (assessed up to day 28).The measurement of INF-γ production will be conducted using a fully automated Interferon Gamma Realease Assay (IGRA) test.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
ICU discharge Vital statusat ICU discharge, and at the latest Day 28Vital status at discharge from ICU
Incidence of nosocomial infectionsFrom ICU-admission to ICU-discharge, and at the latest Day 28Incidence of nosocomial infections occurring in the ICU : number, type, and duration of antibiotic therapy
Incidence of viral reactivations for CMV and HSVFrom ICU-admission to ICU-discharge, and at the latest Day 28Incidence of viral reactivations as detected by PCR for CMV (Cytomegalovirus) and HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) in the ICU
Length of mechanical ventilationFrom ICU-admission to ICU-discharge, and at the latest Day 28Duration of mechanical ventilation in ICU
Presence of septic shockFrom ICU-admission to ICU-discharge, and at the latest Day 28Presence of septic shock in the ICU
Renal impairmentFrom ICU-admission to ICU-discharge, and at the latest Day 28Renal impairment defined by a Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) score \> 1. Scale of 1 to 3, with 3 corresponding to severe acute kidney damage.
mHLA-DR expressionDaily value from day 1 to day 7, then every 72 hours until discharge from intensive care (assessed up to day 28).mHLA-DR expression by flow cytometry
Length of ICU stayat ICU discharge, and at the latest day 28Length of stay in intensive care

Countries

France

Contacts

CONTACTJean-michel Constantin, MD, PhD
jean-michel.constantin@aphp.fr33142161936

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 20, 2026