12/3/2020 In a paper published December 3rd in the New England Journal of Medicine, David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, an assistant professor of Translational Medicine & Human Genetics and director of the Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory (CSTL), and Carl June, MD, a professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies in the Abramson Cancer Center, and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapies define a cytokine storm as requiring elevated circulating cytokine levels, acute systemic inflammatory symptoms, and secondary organ dysfunction beyond what could be attributed to a normal response to a pathogen, if a pathogen is present. A “cytokine storm” is an immune response that spirals out of control and is characterized by uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines. In this paper, Drs. Fajgenbaum and June developed the first unifying definition of a cytokine storm and highlighted the most up-to-date research into treatment approaches for diseases such as Castleman disease and COVID-19.
To read more information about this paper on the CSTL website, please click here.
We have put together a discussion board for anyone who wants to comment about this paper and discuss cytokine storms. If you’d like to be a part of this conversation, please join this discussion board here.
In early spring 2021, there will be a virtual Cytokine Storm Summit. If you are interested in more details for this event, please contact Amber Cohen at ambcohen@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or 215-614-0935