Scientists identify possible drug target for acute pancreatitis ($CTSO)

CytoSorbents Corporation (OTCBB: CTSO) is a critical-care focused therapeutic device company using blood purification to modulate the immune system and fight organ failure in life-threatening illnesses such as sepsis, burn injury, trauma, lung injury and pancreatitis. Its purification technology is based on biocompatible, highly porous polymer beads that can actively remove toxic substances from blood and other bodily fluids by pore capture and absorption. CytoSorbents is currently selling its flagship product, CytoSorb®, in Germany with availability in other European countries.

Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas that results in the local release of digestive enzymes and chemicals that cause severe inflammation, necrosis and hemorrhage of the pancreas and local tissues. Approximately 210,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year with acute pancreatitis with roughly 20% requiring ICU care. Overall ICU mortality of severe acute pancreatitis approaches 20%.

Acute pancreatitis is caused most frequently by a blockage of the pancreatic duct or biliary duct with gallstones, cancer, or from excessive alcohol use. Severe acute pancreatitis is characterized by severe pain, inflammation, and edema in the abdominal cavity, as well as progressive systemic inflammation that can lead to multiple organ failure. High levels of cytokines and digestive enzymes can be found in the blood and are correlated to organ dysfunction.

Aside from trying to unclog the duct with endoscopic techniques, there is little that can be done except for bowel rest, aggressive hydration, antibiotics when indicated, and pain control. However, CytoSorb® may potentially improve the outcome of severe acute pancreatitis by removing a diverse set of toxins from blood.

Some recent data from a report in the June 2012 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology demonstrates that one cytokine in particular, IL-6, is associated with worsened outcomes in mice models of pancreatitis. This report "describes experiments in lean and obese mice that identify the presence of high IL-6 as one of the reasons why the disease is more devastating in obese people." 

John Wherry, Ph.D., Deputy Editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, stated,

"There is an increasing awareness that obesity and inflammation are connected. Not only does this new report demonstrate an important set of interactions between obesity, pancreatitis, and inflammation, but it also identifies the inflammatory pathway, IL-6, which could represent an important new therapeutic target in these settings." Read more here. 

Amongst its many potential benefits in severe acute pancreatitis, CytoSorb® was clinically proven to reduce IL-6 in critically-ill patients by approximately 50%, and other key cytokines by 30-50%, in CytoSorbents’ European Sepsis Trial that finished last year. CytoSorbents believes severe acute pancreatitis is just one of many life-threatening illnesses that it may be beneficial in.

Comments

[JeffB]

You might want to change the title of your article. CytoSorb is an extracorporeal filter, not a drug.