Groundbreaking Sepsis Study Reveals Potential Life-Saving Benefits of Gal-3 Apheresis

A groundbreaking new translational study published in MedComm adds important new evidence highlighting galectin-3 (Gal-3) as a central upstream regulator —and key therapeutic target—in life threatening sepsis (1). Today, sepsis is a top driver of ICU related deaths, and as of yet there is no standard treatment option for this potentially deadly condition.  
 
In this new study, researchers combined observational human sepsis data with interventional studies in both rat polymicrobial sepsis and porcine LPS sepsis models, using a selective extracorporeal Gal-3 removal system known as Gal-3 apheresis developed by Dr. Isaac Eliaz, MD.
 
Human clinical data showed that septic patients demonstrated significantly elevated Gal-3 levels, and notably, survivors showed progressive declines in Gal-3 over time compared with non-survivors. 
 
Importantly, results showed that selective Gal-3 removal with Gal-3 apheresis treatment in animals was associated with:
 
- significantly improved survival 
- reduced IL-6 levels 
- lower vasopressor and fluid requirements 
- reduced pulmonary edema 
- preservation of endothelial barrier integrity 
- decreased neutrophil activation and infiltration 
- reduced multi-organ injury 
 
Mechanistically, the study shows that Gal-3 functions as an upstream alarmin driving neutrophil hyperactivation, endothelial dysfunction, vascular leakage, hypoxia signaling, and metabolic stress responses. 
 
The endothelial findings are particularly relevant. Gal-3 depletion with Gal-3 apheresis preserved tight junction proteins while reducing endothelial injury. This correlated with improved vascular stability and reduced capillary leak in treated animals. 
 
Importantly, Gal-3 apheresis reduced multi-organ injury significantly among the treated animals, demonstrating the potential of this novel treatment to provide clinically relevant benefits beyond sepsis alone. This mirrors an extensive body of data on Gal-3 as an upstream driver of numerous critical conditions from cancer to heart disease, kidney failure, neurodegenerative conditions, and much more. Targeting Gal-3 is increasingly recognized as a novel therapeutic strategy for addressing a wide range of inflammatory diseases.  
 
While the findings are still preliminary, this breakthrough study provides the essential groundwork for more robust research design including human intervention trials. Importantly, it strengthens the role of Gal-3 as a broad therapeutic target in life threatening sepsis and other inflammatory conditions and pathologic features.  
 
The data also adds to the growing body of research highlighting the importance of targeting Gal-3 with additional evidence-based approaches, including the researched form of Modified Citrus Pectin for systemic support against immune and inflammatory dysregulation, tissue injury, organ damage, and the progression of degenerative conditions.  
 
Reference: 
1. Sun Z, Qu J, Peng S, et al. Therapeutic Galectin-3 Apheresis Improves Sepsis Outcomes Through Coordinated Neutrophil Modulation and Endothelial Barrier Preservation: A Translational Study. MedComm. 2026;7:e70659.