# Early biomarkers for predicting sepsis-induced shock: insights from inflammatory pathways and immune response

**Authors:** Jia Li, Qiufang Zhao, Haiyun Gao, Hongjun Wang, Cong Guo, Xiaoling Feng

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1751781 · 2026-03-05

## TL;DR

This paper reviews early biomarkers for predicting sepsis-induced shock, focusing on inflammatory pathways and immune response to improve diagnosis and treatment.

## Contribution

The paper highlights novel biomarkers like microRNAs and machine learning models for better sepsis prediction and management.

## Key findings

- Biomarkers such as cytokines and acute-phase proteins are crucial in sepsis-induced shock pathogenesis.
- New biomarkers like microRNAs and machine learning models show potential for improved diagnostic accuracy.
- Challenges include variability, cost, and standardization of biomarkers in clinical settings.

## Abstract

Severe sepsis-induced shock is one of the most challenging problems in critical care despite the progress made in treatment. Recognizing high-risk patients early on is critical for successful results, and the standard diagnostic approaches to such an ailment fail to identify it prior to shock setting in. Biomarkers have become promising diagnostic, prognostic predictors and treatment surveillance platforms in sepsis in the past few years. This review discusses the significance of biomarkers, e.g., cytokines, chemokines, acute-phase proteins and immune dysfunction markers in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced shock. Additionally, we investigate the potential of new biomarkers, including microRNAs, circular RNAs, endothelial biomarkers, gene signatures, a combination of multimarker panels and machine learning models to improve the diagnostic and prognostic proficiency. As effective as they may seem, they (biomarkers) create challenges in clinical application, including variability, standardization, cost and regulatory approval. This review discusses future approaches to sepsis biomarker research, focusing on personalized medicine, global availability, and clinical validation to address barriers currently experienced in improving sepsis management worldwide.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** sepsis (MESH:D018805), shock (MESH:D012769), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), immune (MESH:D007154)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12999895/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12999895