Overview

• The FDA-approved alcohol-use drug disulfiram blocks gasdermin D activity to interrupt pyroptosis and curb runaway inflammation after severe trauma
• Integration of human patient data with male and female mouse models revealed survival gains in both sexes but a significantly larger protective effect in females
• Researchers outline a precision medicine strategy that could tailor gasdermin D inhibitors for women and explore alternative treatments or combinations for men
• Publication this week in Science Translational Medicine paves the way for expanded large-animal safety and efficacy studies followed by clinical trials in trauma patients
• Insights into gasdermin D–mediated cell death may extend to conditions driven by excessive inflammation, including sepsis and autoimmune disorders