Table 1

Summary of clinical trials with drotrecogin alfa (activated) in severe sepsis

Study
Patients (n)
Study type
Main findings
Comments

Adults




     Phase II [1]
131
RCT
Reduction in D-dimer and interleukin-6 plasma levels with DrotAA; reduction in 28-day all-cause mortality (not significant); no difference in bleeding events
Dose-finding study; optimal dose defined as 24 μg/kg per hour; benefit more pronounced in high-risk patients
     PROWESS [2]
1,690
RCT
Significant reduction in 28-day, all-cause mortality; faster resolution of organ dysfunction; consistent survival benefit in more than 70 subgroups; reduced ospital and 3 month mortality
Increased survival benefit in patients at high risk for death; no benefit in single organ dysfunction and low APACHE II score; increased incidence of serious bleeding events
     ENHANCE [11]
2,378
Open label
Similar 28-day, all-cause mortality compared with PROWESS; earlier intervention associated with improved outcome (<24 hours)
Increased incidence of bleeding events compared with PROWESS
     ADDRESS [12]
2,640
RCT
No difference in 28-day and hospital all-cause mortality in patients at low risk for death
Increased incidence of bleeding events; no increased incidence in ICH
     XPRESS [13]
1,994
RCT
Concomitant heparin does not increase 28-day mortality; heparin prophylaxis should not be discontinued before DrotAA
Small increase in nonserious bleeding; prophylactic heparin reduces incidence of ischaemic stroke
Children




     Phase Ib [14]
83
Open label
Safety and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study; pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics similar to adults
Safety similar to adults
     RESOLVE [15]
477
RCT
No difference in time to organ failure resolution; no difference in 28-day mortality; no difference in the incidence of serious bleeding events
More ICH in children younger than 60 days in DrotAA arm

ADDRESS, Administration of Drotrecogin alfa (activated) in early stage Severe Sepsis; APACHE, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation; DrotAA, drotecogin alfa (activated); ENHANCE, Extended Evaluation of Recombinant Human Activated Protein C; ICH, intracerebral haemorrhage; PROWESS, Recombinant Human Activated Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis; RCT, randomized controlled trial; RESOLVE, REsearching severe Sepsis and Organ dysfunction in children: a gLobal perspective; XPRESS, Xigris and Prophylactic hepaRin Evaluation in Severe Sepsis.

Laterre Critical Care 2007 11(Suppl 5):S5   doi:10.1186/cc6156