Sepsis-related biomarkers

Sepsis-related biomarkers are a heterogeneous group of molecules, including proteins, metabolites, and cell surface markers, used to diagnose sepsis, assess its severity, and monitor therapeutic response [1, 4]. Common examples include Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate, which reflect the systemic inflammatory response and organ hypoperfusion associated with life-threatening infection [9, 12]. While these biomarkers are essential for clinical decision-making and risk stratification, they are generally considered diagnostic or prognostic tools rather than therapeutic targets themselves [1, 12]. However, certain biomarkers like Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) also serve as targets for immunomodulatory therapies in specific septic contexts [4, 12]. The clinical utility of these markers is often limited by their varying kinetics and potential for elevation in non-infectious inflammatory states such as trauma or surgery [12, 13]. Emerging biomarkers, such as presepsin and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), are being investigated for their potential to provide earlier and more specific diagnostic information [3, 7].

Other names

Sepsis markersSepsis indicatorsInflammatory biomarkers of sepsisSeptic biomarkers

Biomarkers primarily serve as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of physiological states; however, when used as therapeutic targets, drugs typically act by neutralizing pro-inflammatory cytokines or modulating immune cell activation and signaling pathways.