 sepsis and septic shock are leading causes of death in intensive care units worldwide, resulting from an imbalance in inflammatory network that leads to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Cytokines, which have both pro and anti-inflammatory functions, play a crucial role in the complex pathophysiology underlying sepsis and may be therapeutically targeted to improve clinical outcomes. This article was authored by Wibka Schult, Eugen Bernhagen, and Richard Buchala.