Innovative Selective Cytopheretic Device Saves Child from Septic Shock

A groundbreaking medical intervention has successfully treated a child suffering from severe septic shock and multiorgan failure, thanks to the innovative selective cytopheretic device developed by a team of doctors at Michigan Medicine. The case, which has garnered significant attention, was detailed in the Journal of Pediatric Nephrology on June 26, 2025, and marks a pivotal moment in the treatment of critical illnesses.

Upon admission to Michigan Medicine’s emergency room, the child, who had a history of kidney transplant and was undergoing chemotherapy for mature B-cell leukemia, exhibited alarming symptoms including tachycardia, hypotension, jaundice, and severely low blood counts, alongside a bacterial infection. The prognosis was grim, with a survival rate estimated at only 5%.

According to Dr. H. David Humes, a nephrologist involved in the case, the child was diagnosed with septic shock and five-organ system failure, necessitating immediate intervention. "The likelihood of the patient dying was nearly 100% when we intervened," Dr. Humes stated.

Faced with limited options, the medical team decided to utilize a device that had been under development for over two decades. The selective cytopheretic device, an immunomodulatory tool that targets hyperinflammation caused by sepsis, had not previously been approved for this specific use. Nevertheless, the team sought emergency authorization from the local Institutional Review Board, which was granted after thorough discussions with the child’s parents.

The device works by filtering the patient’s blood through a dialysis machine, temporarily calming hyperactive immune cells that can cause further organ damage. Dr. Humes elaborated, "As the patient's blood flows through the device, it calms the white blood cells so that they aren't indiscriminately attacking the patient's own organs in their attempt to rid the body of the systemic infection."

After the implementation of the device, the child's condition improved dramatically. The therapy effectively reversed the acute organ dysfunction and inflammation, with no adverse side effects reported. The medical team noted significant improvements in the child's liver function, blood counts, and overall condition. Remarkably, the child was extubated and removed from mechanical ventilation shortly after the treatment.

Dr. Kera Luckritz, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, highlighted the significance of the intervention. "The dramatic recovery of this patient from multiple organ failures was quite remarkable and clearly demonstrated the power of this innovative cell-directed therapy."

Following a 38-day stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), the child was discharged and is now cancer-free and off dialysis. The success of this case has led to further applications of the selective cytopheretic device at multiple pediatric sites, yielding similar positive outcomes.

Dr. Humes expressed optimism about the future of this technology, stating, "The device took 20 years of development, and although we faced many challenges, we now have an available treatment and FDA approval for children in multiorgan failure."

This landmark case not only showcases the potential of cutting-edge biomedical technology in acute care settings but also paves the way for future innovations in treating life-threatening conditions. Through ongoing research and development, the medical community hopes to harness similar devices to improve outcomes in critically ill patients worldwide.

For further information, refer to the original study published by H. David Humes et al., titled "Management dilemma in choosing evolving treatments in neutropenic septic shock," in the Pediatric Nephrology journal (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s00467-025-06798-y.