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Weathering The ‘Cytokine Storm’: US FDA Gives EUA To Blood Purification Machine

US regulators have given emergency use authorization to a blood purification system that can remove excess cytokines to help patients recover from the novel coronavirus. Recent studies on COVID-19 indicate some patients may be dying from the body producing excess amounts of the proteins that direct the immune system’s response.

Interferon gamma (IFNg) cytokine molecule, chemical structure. Recombinant form used in treatment of osteopetrosis and chronic granulomatous disease. 3D rendering based on protein data bank entry 1fg9
A 3D rendering of an interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) cytokine

The US Food and Drug Administration has given emergency use authorization (EUA) to a blood purification system to help patients filter out excess proteins known as cytokines. Physicians have reported “cytokine storms” in response to COVID-19 that could account for why some patients relapse and die from organ failure after initially showing symptoms of improving.

The agency on 9 April sent a letter to Terumo Corp. giving the company EUA for the its Spectra Optia Apheresis System with the Depuro D2000 Adsorption Cartridge....

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