A groundbreaking clinical study published in the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia offers new hope for cancer patients undergoing major surgery. The REMOVE study — a pivotal, multicenter trial across six leading hospitals — evaluated CATUVAB®, an innovative antibody-based solution designed to remove EpCAM-positive tumor cells from intraoperatively salvaged blood.
Cell salvage is a well-established method in blood management, but its use in oncology has long been controversial due to the risk of reinfusing viable tumor cells. CATUVAB® addresses this challenge head-on.
Key findings from the study include:
- 100% removal rate of EpCAM+ tumor cells (95% CI: 95.8–100%)
- Significant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in final erythrocyte concentrates (ECs)
- 89% of EC samples contained undetectable levels of catumaxomab, confirming safety of residual antibody levels
These results not only validate the efficacy and safety of CATUVAB®, but may also help redefine intraoperative blood salvage protocols in cancer surgery — opening the door for safer autologous transfusions in oncology patients.
→ Read the full study:
Removal of EpCAM-positive tumor cells during intraoperative blood salvage – A pivotal multicenter clinical study (REMOVE)