Identifying causes of organ failure in critically ill patients

Innovative Cell Death Diagnostics Allowing Stratifying Critically Ill Patients for Novel Ferroptosis or Pyroptosis Intervention Strategies

NA · University Hospital, Antwerp · NCT06928649

This study is trying to find out if a specific type of cell death related to iron is causing organ failure in critically ill patients in the ICU, to help develop new treatments in the future.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment600 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Antwerp (other)
Locations1 site (Edegem)
Trial IDNCT06928649 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to identify the underlying mechanisms of organ failure in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU by measuring biomarkers associated with ferroptosis, a type of iron-related cell death. By analyzing blood and biological fluid samples, researchers hope to determine if ferroptosis contributes to organ failure in patients suffering from conditions such as sepsis, trauma, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. The findings could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies targeting this biochemical pathway in the future.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include critically ill patients admitted to the ICU for more than 48 hours, particularly those at risk of developing organ failure due to severe infections, trauma, or neurological catastrophes.

Not a fit: Patients who are postoperative after major surgery and not expected to have a prolonged ICU stay may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel treatments that improve outcomes for critically ill patients experiencing organ failure.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of targeting ferroptosis in this context may be novel, similar studies exploring biomarkers in critically ill patients have shown promise.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Admitted to the ICU of UZA
* Critically ill and predicted to be hospitalised in the ICU for \> 48 hours (i.e. mostly patients admitted for sepsis, trauma, haemorrhagic shock, neurological catastrophe … which means at risk to develop mono-or multiple organ failure)
* With arterial line in place (for blood sampling)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refusal of consent by patient or closest relative
* Postoperative patients after major surgery in whom prolonged ICU stay is not foreseen (i.e. elective cardiac surgery

Where this trial is running

Edegem

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Sepsis, Trauma Related Injuries, Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.