Effect of Interferon Gamma as a Treatment for Post-aggressive Immunosuppression in Intensive Care Units, a Randomized Bayesian Double-blind Controlled Trial Versus Placebo

The vast majority of serious clinical situations leading to intensive care (septic shock, polytrauma, acute cerebral aggression, major surgery) are characterized by significant systemic inflammation. Recently, the existence of a common immune response pattern to acute aggression has been demonstrated, and with it the existence of a phenomenon known as post-aggressive immunosuppression (PAIS). This immunological adaptation, initially implemented as a host defense mechanism to protect against an overwhelming systemic reaction, can, if prolonged, lead to multiple complications resulting in significant delayed morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is based on the use of immuno-inflammatory biomarkers, the most widely studied of which is monocyte expression of major histocompatibility complex type II molecules (mHLA-DR). We have recently confirmed that PAIS can affect all types of patients admitted to the intensive care unit, but mainly occurs in the most severe patients. We also showed that the occurrence of PAIS was strongly associated with the subsequent occurrence of secondary infection and excess mortality. Currently, there is no treatment with proven efficacy for PAIS, but several drugs have been shown to restore leukocyte function in-vitro. Several teams have reported the use of immunostimulatory molecules in patients with treatment failure, with a good safety profile and encouraging results. We believe that earlier treatment of patients with proven PAIS could improve their clinical outcome.