This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Why No Magic Bullets?

Arthur E. Baue, MD

Arch Surg. 1997;132(7):703-707.

Abstract
The concept of multiple organ failure and related abnormalities was first developed in the 1970s. Multiple organ failure became evident when the support systems in intensive care units were able to keep patients alive long enough for multiple organ problems to develop in them. The high mortality of patients with multiple organ failure provided a focus for the problems that ultimately led to death for many patients in the intensive care unit. The frequency of infection, sepsis, or inflammation in producing multiple organ failure led to clinical trials of so-called magic bullets for the treatment of patients with sepsis. These trials have had either limited success or negative results, despite considerable evidence for efficacy or protection by such agents in experimental animals and in studies of normal human volunteers. I believe a major reason for these negative results has been the use of general entry criteria for the trials rather than the treatment of specific diseases or injuries. Arch Surg. 1997;132:703-707

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Surgery, St Louis University Health Sciences Center, St Louis, Mo.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Lidocaine depresses splenocyte immune functions following trauma-hemorrhage in mice
Kawasaki et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 2006;291:C1049-C1055.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Trauma-Hemorrhage Induces Depressed Splenic Dendritic Cell Functions in Mice
Kawasaki et al.
J. Immunol. 2006;177:4514-4520.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Polyadenosine Diphosphate-Ribose Polymerase Inhibition Modulates Skeletal Muscle Injury Following Ischemia Reperfusion
Hua et al.
Arch Surg 2005;140:344-351.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Effect of Inhibition of a Major Cell Signaling Pathway Following Trauma Hemorrhage on Hepatic Injury and Interleukin 6 Levels
Jarrar et al.
Arch Surg 2004;139:896-901.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Molecular Characterization of the Acute Inflammatory Response to Infections with Gram-Negative versus Gram-Positive Bacteria
Feezor et al.
Infect. Immun. 2003;71:5803-5813.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Gut-derived norepinephrine plays a critical role in producing hepatocellular dysfunction during early sepsis
Yang et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 2000;279:G1274-G1281.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Priming Interleukin 8 Production: Role of Platelet-Activating Factor and p38
Arbabi et al.
Arch Surg 1999;134:1348-1353.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Pivotal Role of Adrenomedullin in Producing Hyperdynamic Circulation During the Early Stage of Sepsis
Wang et al.
Arch Surg 1998;133:1298-1304.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Revisiting the Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor {alpha} and the Response to Surgical Injury and Inflammation
Ksontini et al.
Arch Surg 1998;133:558-567.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Magic Bullets: Finding the Target and Improving the Aim
Gosling et al.
Arch Surg 1998;133:334-335.
FULL TEXT