International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Apr 2014
Meta AnalysisAnti-TNF-α therapy for patients with sepsis: a systematic meta-analysis.
In humans, the role of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock is debatable. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of anti-TNF-α therapies against placebo in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests that in patients with severe sepsis (before shock), immunotherapy with anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies reduces overall mortality. In patients with shock or high levels of IL-6 (> 1000 pg/ml), anti-TNF-α therapy may improve survival.