Understanding Hyperinflammatory Syndromes: From Recognition to Response

October 8, 2025, at 16:00 BST / 17:00 CEST / 11:00 EDT / 08:00 PDT

This webinar offers a deep dive into the complex and evolving landscape of hyperinflammatory syndromes, with a focus on understanding their underlying mechanisms, clinical presentations, and diagnostic challenges. Hyperinflammatory syndromes represent a spectrum of severe immune dysregulation, often characterized by excessive cytokine release and multi-organ involvement. These conditions can be life-threatening and are increasingly recognized across various clinical contexts.

Audi Setiadi, MD, FRCPC, hematopathologist and investigator at BC Children’s Hospital, will begin by defining hyperinflammatory syndromes and exploring their common features, including the role of cytokine dysregulation and immune system overactivation. A central focus will be on hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) – a rare but critical condition – and cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which frequently occurs in the setting of CAR T-cell therapy and other immunotherapies.

Key topics covered include:

• Overview of hyperinflammatory syndromes and their clinical relevance
• Introduction to HLH: diagnostic criteria, triggers, and pathogenesis
• Understanding CRS and its overlap with HLH
• Basics of CAR T-cell therapy and its associated immune-related adverse events
• The pathophysiology of cytokine storms and their systemic impact
• Interpretation of cytokine profiles and inflammatory markers
• Diagnostic challenges and differential diagnosis in hyperinflammatory states
• Case-based discussions and emerging approaches to evaluation and management

This session is designed for clinicians, laboratory professionals, and researchers interested in improving their understanding of hyperinflammation in both traditional and novel therapeutic contexts.

Attendees will gain insights into the interplay between immune activation and clinical manifestations, and how evolving diagnostic tools can aid in timely recognition and intervention.

Learning objectives:

• Describe the immunopathogenesis and clinical features of hyperinflammatory syndromes, including HLH and cytokine release syndrome, and differentiate them from other inflammatory conditions.
• Identify key laboratory and clinical markers, including cytokine profiles, that support the recognition and evaluation of hyperinflammatory states.
• Explain the mechanisms and potential complications of CAR T-cell therapy, with a focus on immune-related adverse events such as CRS and HLH-like presentations.

Accreditation statement

SelectScience® is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.