Identify CCI-specific biomarkers and optimal measurement frequency

Determine the set of circulating inflammatory signaling molecule biomarkers most specific to disease progression in chronic critical illness and ascertain the optimal measurement frequency required to achieve accurate prognosis and precise intervention in patients with sepsis-related chronic critical illness.

Background

The paper motivates the need for improved clinical management of chronic critical illness (CCI) arising after sepsis, noting persistent immune dysfunction and elevated inflammatory cytokines observed in patients. Despite these observations, clinical translation is hindered by uncertainty regarding which biomarkers best track disease progression and how frequently they should be measured.

The authors propose a mechanistic model coupling hematopoiesis with the immune response to infection to explore how maladaptive hematopoietic dynamics may contribute to CCI. However, they explicitly state that the identification of the most specific biomarkers and appropriate measurement schedules remains unresolved, underscoring a critical clinical and translational gap.