Sepsis happens when the body's response to infection spirals out of control, damaging organs and sometimes leading to death. It kills about 270,000 people in the U.S. each year. Treatment centers on early antibiotics, fluids, and organ support in intensive care, but survivors often face long-term problems with thinking, mood, and physical function.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs that calm the immune storm without suppressing infection defense, biomarker-guided antibiotic strategies to avoid overtreatment, and therapies targeting specific sepsis subtypes identified by blood tests. Researchers are also studying rehabilitation programs for sepsis survivors and ways to predict who will develop long-term complications.
Immune modulation
Several drugs aim to dial down the excessive immune response that damages organs in sepsis without blocking the body's ability to fight infection. Early trials are testing antibodies and small molecules that target specific inflammatory pathways.
Precision sepsis
Blood tests can now identify distinct sepsis subtypes that respond differently to treatment. Trials are testing whether matching therapy to subtype improves outcomes compared to one-size-fits-all care.
Post-sepsis recovery
Studies are testing rehabilitation programs, cognitive therapy, and medications to help the roughly half of sepsis survivors who face lasting physical or mental problems. This includes examining why some people recover fully while others don't.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on sepsis severity, organ dysfunction, infection source, time since sepsis onset, and for recovery trials, degree of post-sepsis impairment.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing medications that target the immune overreaction in sepsis, often added to standard antibiotics and supportive care.
- Fluid and resuscitation trials — Comparing different strategies for giving IV fluids and blood pressure medications in the first hours of sepsis.
- Antibiotic trials — Testing biomarker-guided approaches to starting, choosing, and stopping antibiotics more precisely.
- Recovery trials — Testing rehabilitation, therapy, and medications to improve physical, cognitive, and mental health after surviving sepsis.
- Prevention studies — Following high-risk patients to identify who develops sepsis and testing ways to catch and treat infections before they become life-threatening.
Recently added Sepsis trials
Early Endotoxin Burden Reduction With oXiris in Septic Shock Patients Requiring CRRT
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) using the oXiris filter can lower the amount of endotoxin in the blood of adults with septic shock who need CRRT. Septic shock is a life-threatening condition caused by infection and severe organ dysfunction. CRRT is a form of continuous blood purification used to support the kidneys and manage fluid and waste products. The oXiris filter is designed to provide CRRT while also removing endotoxin and inflammatory substances from the blood. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does 24 hours of CRRT with the oXiris filter lower blood endotoxin levels compared with levels before treatment? What changes occur in inflammation, organ function, and the need for medicines that raise blood pressure? What medical problems or treatment-related complications occur during the study? This is a single-center study with no comparison group. About 13 participants will take part, and all participants will receive CRRT with the oXiris filter for a planned period of 24 hours. Other treatments for septic shock, including treatment for infection, fluids, medicines to support blood pressure, and other organ support, will be provided according to the hospital's usual care. Researchers will: Collect blood samples before and after the 24-hour oXiris treatment to measure endotoxin and markers of inflammation. Record blood pressure, blood lactate, circulation, organ function, use of blood pressure medicines, and CRRT treatment information. Continue selected blood tests and clinical assessments during the first 7 days Record any medical problems, including serious medical problems, during the study. Check whether participants are alive at 28 days and 90 days after enrollment The study may help researchers better understand the biological effects and safety of the oXiris filter and provide information for larger future studies.
Donate blood samples to help detect serious infections in cancer patients
Dynamic Infection Kinetics as an Early Diagnostic and Monitoring Tool for Sepsis in Oncology Patients This study aims to evaluate whether changes over time in infection-related biomarkers and blood culture findings can help detect sepsis earlier and monitor the response to treatment in adult patients with cancer. Cancer patients are at increased risk of developing serious infections and sepsis because of their underlying disease and its treatment. Early diagnosis and monitoring can be challenging because the signs and laboratory findings of infection may be nonspecific. This prospective observational cohort study will include adult oncology patients with suspected sepsis who have at least one blood culture collected as part of their routine medical care. Clinical, laboratory, and microbiological information will be collected, including blood culture results, causative microorganisms, time to blood culture positivity, blood culture clearance time, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), presepsin, absolute neutrophil count, serum lactate, and clinical severity measures. Patients will be followed during hospitalization and for up to 30 days after enrollment. The study will assess whether changes in these markers over time are associated with treatment response, persistent infection, complications, intensive care admission, and mortality. The findings may help identify patients at higher risk of poor outcomes and may contribute to improved monitoring and management of sepsis in patients with cancer.
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