Clinical trial Recruiting at 18 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Treatment for severe sepsis using immune cell therapy

Official title: Recovery From Acute Immune Failure in Septic Shock by Immune Cell Extracorporeal Therapy

Run by Artcline GmbH · NCT05442710 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests a new immune cell therapy for adults with severe sepsis to see if it can help them recover better alongside standard treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment142 (estimated)
SponsorArtcline GmbH
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations20 sites (Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Wurttemberg and 19 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 24, 2022
Main results expectedMarch 30, 2026
Study endsJune 30, 2026
Registry record updatedMay 25, 2025
Trial IDNCT05442710 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are experiencing septic shock and require vasopressor support.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not meet the criteria for septic shock or are unable to receive the necessary interventions may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates a novel therapy for patients suffering from severe sepsis. Participants will be randomized into a treatment group that receives an immune cell perfusion system in addition to standard care. The aim is to enhance immune competence and improve organ function in patients experiencing septic shock. The study focuses on adults who meet specific criteria related to their condition and treatment needs.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients with severe sepsis.

How similar studies have gone: While this approach is novel, similar studies exploring immune therapies in sepsis have shown promising results.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult subjects

   1. ≥ 18 years of age
   2. with septic shock, defined as those with septic shock according to" Sepsis-3-Definition" who additionally require norepinephrine at a dose of ≥ 0.15 mcg/kg/min (and/or vasopressin at any dose) for a minimum of 6 hours (within the last 48 hours), to maintain a MAP ≥65 mmHg
   3. Subjects ≥ 80 years of age shall have a Clinical Frailty Scale of \<5 to be enrolled.
2. Fulfillment of the definition of septic shock, not longer than 48h before randomization. I.e. the 48h start at the end of the 6h period.
3. Blood lactate \>2 mmol/L despite adequate volume resuscitation during the current sepsis episode
4. Source control achieved / in progress in the judgement of the investigator
5. Subjects are required to have central venous access and an arterial line, and these are expected to remain present for at least the initial 48 hours of study.
6. Subjects must have received adequate volume replacement in the judgement of the investigator.
7. Subject or legal surrogate is willing and able to provide written informed consent and comply with all protocol requirements or confirmation of the urgency of participation in the clinical trial and the possible benefit to the subject by an independent consultant or the implementation of other established procedures according to the local regulations of the contributing centre to include subjects who are unable to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Acute or chronic leukemia,
2. Bilirubin ≥ 2 mg/dL (≥33 µmol/L),
3. Ongoing (concomitant) or prior within the last 6 month any chemotherapy or radiotherapy for malignancy,
4. Autoimmune disease with systemic medication of ≥10 mg prednisolone equivalent,
5. Previous transplantation,
6. Subjects receiving interferon therapy (14 days prior randomisation),
7. Acute pulmonary embolism within the last 72 hours,
8. Ischemic stroke or intracranial bleeding within the last 3 months
9. Suspicion of concomitant acute coronary syndrome based on clinical symptoms and/or ECG within the last 72 hours,
10. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation within last 7 days,
11. Moribund subject (life expectancy \<72 hours), in the judgement of the investigator
12. Presence of a do-not-resuscitate or do-not-intubate order,
13. Known HIV infection or chronic viral hepatitis,
14. Isolated Urosepsis,
15. Pregnancy/nursing period,
16. Primary cause of hypotension not due to sepsis (e.g. major trauma including traumatic brain injury, haemorrhage, burns, or congestive heart failure/cardiogenic shock),
17. Previous sepsis with ICU admission within this hospital stay,
18. Known/suspected acute mesenteric ischaemia,
19. Chronic mechanical ventilation for any reason OR severe COPD requiring either continuous daily oxygen use during the preceding 30 days or mechanical ventilation (for acute exacerbation of COPD) during the preceding 30 days,
20. Decision to limit full care taken before obtaining informed consent,
21. Prior enrolment in the trial,
22. Prior use of an investigational medicinal product within the last month OR planned or concurrent participation in a clinical trial for any investigational drug or device,
23. multiple injuries including polytrauma and burn \>20% TBSA (2° or 3°),
24. Diagnosed and documented pre-existing dementia,
25. Severe Covid-Pneumonia

Where it's running

  • Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Klinik für Anästhesiologie
    Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin
    Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin
    Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Helios Klinikum Aue
    Aue, Saxony, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Klinik und PK für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie
    Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Universitätsklinik für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin
    Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
    Recruiting
Show 14 more locations
  • UNIVERSITÄTSKLINIKUM Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel
    Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Charité Berlin, Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Nephrologie und internistische Intensivmedizin
    Berlin, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Klinikum Braunschweig, Medizinische Klinik V
    Braunschweig, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Essen, Klinik für Nephrologie
    Essen, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Helios Klinikum HIldesheim
    Hildesheim, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Klinikum Magdeburg, Klinik für Intensiv- und Rettungsmedizin
    Magdeburg, Germany
    Recruiting
  • University Medical Center Mainz, Study center for Anesthesiology
    Mainz, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Mannheim
    Mannheim, Germany
    Recruiting
  • University Hospital Minden, Departmenr of Anaesthesiology, intensive and emergency care
    Minden, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Klinikum Oldenburg, Universitätsklinik für Anästhesiologie/ Intensivmedizin
    Oldenburg, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Abteilung KAI
    Rostock, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Helios Kliniken Schwerin, Department for intensive care
    Schwerin, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Interdisziplinäre Medizinische Intensivtherapie (IMIT)
    Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
    Withdrawn
  • University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy
    Frankfurt, Germany
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.