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Respir Med Res 2022 Apr 26;81:100913. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Department of Respirology, Strasbourg Lung Transplant Program, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l'Hôpital, Strasbourg F - 67000, France. Electronic address:

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the main limitation to long-term survival following lung transplantation. Several studies generated promising results regarding the efficacy of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in BOS management. We aimed to compare FEV1 evolution in ECP-treated versus non-ECP treated patients among BOS recipients. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 May 4;12(1):7298. Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Microsurgery Core, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.

Recipients of solid organ transplantation (SOT) rely on life-long immunosuppression (IS), which is associated with significant side effects. Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is a safe, existing cellular therapy used to treat transplant rejection by modulating the recipient's own blood cells. We sought to induce donor-specific hypo-responsiveness of SOT recipients by infusing ECP-treated donor leukocytes prior to transplant. Read More

Leuk Lymphoma 2022 Apr 28:1-8. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Department of Hematology, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Sézary syndrome (SS) is an aggressive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with poor survival. We performed a retrospective review of SS patients at Emory University from 1990 to 2020. We collected data on race, clinical characteristics, therapy, and social determinants of health. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2022 Apr 21:e15530. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by excessive production of collagen. Extracorporeal photopheresis (photochemotherapy, phototherapy) (ECP) involves repeated exposure of peripheral blood lymphocytes to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. The rationale for treating patients with SSc by ECP lies in its presumed immunomodulatory effects, though, rigorous data on the specific effects of ECP are limited, particularly in patients with SSc. Read More

Bone Marrow Transplant 2022 Apr 19. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.

Cells 2022 Mar 25;11(7). Epub 2022 Mar 25.

UOS Transplant Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

Clinical evidence suggests an improvement or stabilization of lung function in a fraction of patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) treated by extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP); however, few studies have explored the epigenetic and molecular regulation of this therapy. The aim of present study was to evaluate whether a specific set of miRNAs were significantly regulated by ECP. Total RNA was isolated from serum of patients with established BOS grade 1-2 prior to the start and after 6 months of ECP treatment. Read More

Transpl Int 2022 23;35:10320. Epub 2022 Mar 23.

Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

In severely ill patients undergoing urgent heart transplant (HTX), immunosuppression carries high risks of infection, malignancy, and death. Low-dose immunosuppressive protocols have higher rejection rates. We combined extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), an established therapy for acute rejection, with reduced-intensity immunosuppression. Read More

Blood Adv 2022 Apr 7. Epub 2022 Apr 7.

Seattle Children's Research Institute, United States.

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a spectrum of diseases with varied clinical courses caused by malignant clonal proliferation of skin-tropic T cells. Most patients have an indolent disease course managed with skin-directed therapies. In contrast, others, especially in advanced stages of disease or with specific forms, have aggressive progression and poor median survival. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2022 Apr 3:e15482. Epub 2022 Apr 3.

Department of Hematology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of a continuous therapy with a lower dosage of gemcitabine compared to those usually administered in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL). Twenty-two patients received different dosages of gemcitabine. Dosage and schedule of the drug were chosen on the basis of clinical features. Read More

J Clin Apher 2022 Mar 30. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Skin Cancer Center, Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.

Background: Systemic immune-inflammatory biomarkers (SIIBs) have not been studied in mycosis fungoides (MF) patients undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP).

Objective: The objective was to determine whether recently proposed SIIBs are suitable to predict ECP treatment outcome and overall prognosis of patients with MF.

Methods: Twenty-nine MF patients were retrospectively evaluated who had undergone ECP. Read More

J Healthc Qual Res 2022 Mar 23. Epub 2022 Mar 23.

Registered Nurse, Head of Nursing, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), Villa 25, Al Misahah Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi PO Box: 4600, United Arab Emirates.

Photochem Photobiol 2022 Mar 3. Epub 2022 Mar 3.

Department of Promotion for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is one of the more effective cell therapies for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). ECP is a widely recommended therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic GvHD, particularly steroid-refractory GVHD. In recent years, the use of a light emitting diode (LED) in the clinic has attracted considerable interest. Read More

J Clin Apher 2022 Feb 28. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Tirol Kliniken GmbH, Zentralinstitut für Bluttransfusion und Immunologische Abteilung (ZIB), Innsbruck, Austria.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a blood-based therapeutic procedure increasingly used for modulation of immune dysregulation in various underlying disease settings. The aim of this study was to compare the procedure times and blood collection efficiencies between the two approaches currently utilized in European centers: the integrated versus the multistep nonintegrated procedures.

Methods: A retrospective data analysis was conducted, comparing treatment data from patients who received ECP therapy at the Central Institute for Blood Transfusion & Department of Immunology (ZIB) of the Tirol Kliniken GmbH, where the integrated and multistep nonintegrated procedures are routinely used in an approximated setup. Read More

Adv Clin Exp Med 2022 Mar;31(3):345-350

Department of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Hematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a lifesaving procedure in malignant and nonmalignant diseases. However, it is associated with a considerable risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Steroids are a first-line therapy for acute GvHD (aGvHD), but there is no standard treatment for steroid-resistant (SR) gastrointestinal (GI) aGvHD, which has a poor prognosis. Read More

Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2021 Dec 9. Epub 2021 Dec 9.

Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Introduction: Although extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a promising second-line therapy in the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), its use is limited by its high cost. This study aims to describe the clinical evolution of patients who underwent ECP therapy for cGVHD and to perform an economic analysis of the therapy METHODS: This was a case series between 2016 and 2020 describing the clinical response to ECP and a micro-cost analysis of the therapy using time-driven activity-based costing.

Results: Six patients underwent ECP for corticosteroid-dependent cGVHD The cost per ECP session is 14,960. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2022 May 18;35(5):e15366. Epub 2022 Feb 18.

Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is considered a safe treatment modality. We aimed to assess blood parameters including coagulation during ECP over time. We performed a long-term retrospective single-center chart review (laboratory parameters) of adult patients (n = 172) who had received ECP for any indication. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2022 Feb 7. Epub 2022 Feb 7.

Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Transplant Cell Ther 2022 May 4;28(5):261.e1-261.e7. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

SCT Unit, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria.

Therapy for steroid-refractory (SR) acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) involves intensive immunosuppression, which is associated with significant risk of infection. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is used to treat SR-aGVHD and is considered more immunomodulatory than immunosuppressive. However, pediatric data are mostly retrospective and often involve multistep ECP that includes apheresis followed by separate photosensitizing/reinfusion on another device. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2022 Feb 24;61(1):103373. Epub 2022 Jan 24.

Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Izmir, Turkey.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is still the most important cause of mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Though perfect response rates are not achieved, steroids are still the first-line treatment. In the face of the presence of the drugs approved by FDA in recent years for acute and chronic GVHD as second-line therapy in the steroid-refractory group, there exists no standard approach. Read More

Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2022 Jan 25. Epub 2022 Jan 25.

Laboratorio de Investigação Médica (LIM) 31, Hospital das Clínicas Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Hospital Vila Nova Star-Rede D'Or, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK.

Front Pediatr 2021 14;9:775318. Epub 2022 Jan 14.

Stem Cell Transplant Unit, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Graft-vs. -host disease (GvHD) is a serious and complex immunological complication of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is associated with prolonged immunodeficiency and non-relapse mortality. Standard treatment of chronic GvHD comprises steroids in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. Read More

J Oncol Pharm Pract 2022 Jun 12;28(4):983-985. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

146995Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In the treatment of chronic GVHD, skin directed therapy, systemic corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors (such as cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus), rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) and ruxolitinib are used.

Case Report: We present an 18 year old male with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute B lymphoblastic leukemia, treated with allogeneic HCT from a full matched sibling donor. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2021 Nov;13(11):6645-6653

Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, MO 63110, USA.

Outcomes after lung transplantation are limited by chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). The incidence of CLAD is high, and its clinical course tends to be progressive over time, culminating in graft failure and death. Indeed, CLAD is the leading cause of death beyond the first year after lung transplantation. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2022 15;35:101566. Epub 2021 Dec 15.

Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary syndrome that is characterized by the accumulation of excess surfactant in the alveolar space, leading to impaired gas exchange. Sirolimus-induced PAP is an extremely rare entity that has only been described in the literature in a small number of case reports. We present a case of a 39-year-old female with acute lymphocytic leukemia who underwent stem cell transplant, complicated by graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) involving the skin for which she was treated with steroids, photopheresis, sirolimus, and ruxolitinib. Read More

Dermatitis 2021 Dec 21. Epub 2021 Dec 21.

From the Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a safe treatment modality with immunomodulatory effects. The latter may also explain efficacy of ECP in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective: We aimed to assess various blood parameters of AD patients who underwent ECP over a maximum 1-year treatment period. Read More

J Clin Apher 2022 Feb 30;37(1):106-116. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Department of Clinical Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France.

Background: Infections are common with significant mortality and morbidity in patients with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an advantageous treatment option for patients with GvHD because it is not immunosuppressive. The objective of this study was to assess the rate of infections and to determine risk factors in patients with GvHD. Read More

Front Oncol 2021 9;11:749691. Epub 2021 Dec 9.

Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.

Sezary Syndrome (SS) is a rare leukemic variant of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Relapsed or refractory disease is generally considered incurable by conventional therapeutic approaches, although durable responses can be achieved with novel monoclonal antibodies. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) may have potential value by inducing graft vs-lymphoma (GvL) effects, but there is currently no consensus regarding the timing of alloHSCT or type of conditioning regimen. Read More

J Clin Apher 2021 Dec 22. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Apheresis Unit, Department of Hemotherapy and Hemostasis, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

The immunomodulatory effects of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) have been used for the treatment of T-cell mediated disorders, such as rejection in organ transplantation. Currently, it is an established therapy for heart and lung rejection, but not for kidney transplantation (KT), where experience is limited. In addition, some data suggest that ECP could generate an immune response against infections, thus being an alternative for the treatment of rejection in case of active or high-risk of infection. Read More

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022 05 3;44(4):e849-e854. Epub 2021 Dec 3.

Departments of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare form of lymphoma in children with limited published data on treatment and lack of a uniformly accepted treatment algorithm. We retrospectively analyzed the data in children up to 18 years of age diagnosed to have PTCL from January 2016 to June 2020. The study included six children with a median age of 10 years, the youngest being a 7-month-old girl. Read More

Transfus Med 2022 Feb 2;32(1):77-81. Epub 2021 Dec 2.

NHS Blood and Transplant, Bristol, UK.

Background: Extra-corporeal photopheresis (ECP) requires anticoagulation to prevent circuit clotting. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is currently the only anticoagulant licensed for the ECP system in use in the United Kingdom (UK). Acid citrate dextrose-A (ACD-A) is the preferred anticoagulant for most other apheresis procedures. Read More