Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Bone Marrow Transplant 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a serious complication after stem cell transplantation and is associated with high non-relapse mortality. If steroid treatment as first-line therapeutic approach fails, treatment options are limited. In retrospective studies, ruxolitinib, a selective Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor as well as extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) could show high efficacy in treatment of steroid refractory acute and chronic GVHD. Read More

Cytotherapy 2020 May 17. Epub 2020 May 17.

APHP, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Service d'Hématologie Clinique et de Thérapie cellulaire, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), F-75012 Paris, France. Electronic address:

Background Aims: Corticosteroids are the standard first-line treatment for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), but they are associated with many complications, and less than half of patients have a sustained response.

Methods: To improve outcomes, we performed a retrospective study to analyze the efficacy of the addition of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) to low-dose corticosteroids in 37 adult patients (median age, 57 years) with skin-predominant aGVHD (grade I, n = 17; grade II, n = 18; and grade III, n = 2). All patients received ECP in combination with 1 mg/kg prednisone (n = 26) or topical steroids (n = 11). Read More

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2020 May 16. Epub 2020 May 16.

Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Lyon F-69004, France; Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Villeurbanne F-69100, France; Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U 1111, Université́ Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, Lyon F-69007, France; INSERM, F-CRIN, Innovative Clinical Research Network in Vaccinology (I-REIVAC), Paris Cedex F-75679, France.. Electronic address:

Background: Data on immunogenicity and safety of the recommended revaccination schedule against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients is limited.

Methods: Prospective single-center cohort study (April 2014-March 2018) of adult allo-HSCT recipients referred to a dedicated vaccinology consultation and vaccinated with the pediatric combined DTaP(±HB)-IPV-Hib vaccine (three doses one month apart, booster dose one year later). The proportion of responders to tetanus, diphtheria, Hib and hepatitis B vaccine and geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of antibodies were assessed before and up to 24 months after vaccination. Read More

Nefrologia 2020 Apr 18. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España.

Transfusion 2020 Apr 21. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg,, Germany.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunosuppressive treatment that involves leukocyte apheresis, psoralen and UV light treatment, and subsequent reinfusion. Patients treated with ECP are usually immunosuppressed. Bacterial contamination therefore poses a much unwanted risk, but incidence data are lacking. Read More

Yale J Biol Med 2020 Mar 27;93(1):145-159. Epub 2020 Mar 27.

Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells, necessary for the initiation and maintenance of antigen-specific immunity and tolerance. Decades of research have been driven by hopes to harness the immunological capabilities of DCs and achieve physiological partnership with the immune system for therapeutic ends. Potential applications for DC-based immunotherapy include treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2020 Mar 18. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Background/purpose: We previously reported that myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) were increased in patients with leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (L-CTCL) following extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) using the Therakos UVAR XTS system. We now assessed monocyte-derived mDCs (Mo-DCs) in L-CTCL patients treated with the CELLEX photopheresis system. CD209, a transmembrane receptor, was used to define Mo-DCs. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 Feb 24:e13284. Epub 2020 Feb 24.

Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science, Dermatology Section, University of Siena, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex disease and can often be a clinical challenge for dermatologists. When standard immunosuppressive therapies fail, extracorporeal phototherapy (ECP) can be considered as a therapeutic option. In recent years, better understanding of the pathogenesis of AD allowed to improve treatment strategies with many emerging therapeutic options. Read More

Front Immunol 2020 31;11:81. Epub 2020 Jan 31.

Department of Haematology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

As the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become a more widespread and effective treatment for hematological malignant and non-malignant conditions, the need to minimize the harmful effects of graft- vs.-host disease (GvHD) has become more important in achieving good outcomes. With diagnosis of GvHD reliant on its clinical manifestations, research into biomarkers for the diagnosis, progression, and even for the prediction of disease, is imperative to combating the high levels of morbidity and mortality post-HSCT. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2020 Feb 6;12(2). Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, N-0379 Oslo, Norway.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), a modality that exposes isolated leukocytes to the photosensitizer 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light, is used to treat conditions such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and graft-versus-host disease. However, the current procedure of ECP has limited selectivity and efficiency; and produces only partial response in the majority of treated patients. Additionally, the treatment is expensive and time-consuming, so the improvement for this modality is needed. Read More

Eur J Immunol 2020 May 10;50(5):725-735. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

CIRI - Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Team « Immunology of Skin Allergy and Vaccination », Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon University, F-69007, Lyon, France.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) that takes advantage of the immunomodulatory effects of UV light has been extensively used for many years for the treatment of several T cell-mediated diseases, including graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and systemic scleroderma. Immune mechanisms that lead to the establishment of T cell tolerance in ECP-treated patients remain poorly known. In this study, we have tested the effect of UV/psoralen-treated BM-derived dendritic cells, referred to as ECP-BMDCs on the outcome of an antigen-specific T cell-mediated reaction, that is, contact hypersensitivity (CHS), which is mediated by CD8 effector T cells (CD8 T ). Read More

N Engl J Med 2020 01;382(3):294-296

University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Transfus Med Hemother 2019 Dec 6;46(6):394-406. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hemostasis, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.

The section "Preparative and Therapeutic Hemapheresis" of the German Society for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology (DGTI) has reviewed the actual literature and updated techniques and indications for evidence-based use of therapeutic apheresis in human disease. The recommendations are mostly in line with the "Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice" published by the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) and have been conducted by experts from the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region. Read More

Front Immunol 2019 18;10:2908. Epub 2019 Dec 18.

Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Groupe Hospitalo-Universitaire Chenevier Mondor, Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie, Créteil, France.

The induction of specific and sustainable tolerance is a challenging issue in organ transplantation. The discovery of the immunosuppressive properties of apoptotic cells in animal models has paved the way for their use in human transplantation. In this work, we aimed to define a stable, reproducible, and clinically compatible production procedure of human apoptotic cells (Apo-cells). Read More

Transfusion 2020 Feb 9;60(2):351-357. Epub 2020 Jan 9.

Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.

Background: Two extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) instruments, the CELLEX and the UVARXTS are currently being used "off-label" in the US for treatment of graft versus host disease (GVHD). Our study compared the performance of the two instruments in the setting of acute and chronic GVHD.

Study Design And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients with steroid refractory or steroid resistant GVHD undergoing ECP at Barnes Jewish Hospital. Read More

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2020 Apr 7;26(4):651-658. Epub 2020 Jan 7.

Department of Hematology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an established treatment strategy in steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This study's main objective was to analyze the clinical response and impact of ECP therapy in steroid dose reduction. A retrospective observational series of 113 patients from 7 transplantation centers was analyzed. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2020 Jan 24;6(1):16-18. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Department of Dermatology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

Eur J Haematol 2020 May 22;104(5):361-375. Epub 2020 Feb 22.

Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is one of the most used and established therapies for steroid-refractory graft-vs-host disease (GvHD), with a good effect to side effect profile. In this review, we present a summary of present literature and provide evidence-based treatment guidelines for ECP in GvHD. The guidelines constitute a consensus statement formed by the Nordic ECP Quality Group representing all ECP centres in the Nordic countries, and aims to facilitate harmonisation and evidence-based practice. Read More

Eur J Dermatol 2019 Oct;29(5):524-537

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, JenaGermany.

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is an uncommon papulosquamous inflammatory disease of the skin, which may progress to erythroderma. The diagnosis is based on both clinical and histopathological findings. There are numerous treatment options in the literature, but often reported as unsuccessful. Read More

Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 2019 15;349:251-307. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States. Electronic address:

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells, required for the initiation of naïve and memory T cell responses and regulation of adaptive immunity. The discovery of DCs in 1973, which culminated in the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2011 for Ralph Steinman and colleagues, initially focused on the identification of adherent mononuclear cell fractions with uniquely stellate dendritic morphology, followed by key discoveries of their critical immunologic role in initiating and maintaining antigen-specific immunity and tolerance. The medical promise of marshaling these key capabilities of DCs for therapeutic modulation of antigen-specific immune responses has guided decades of research in hopes to achieve genuine physiologic partnership with the immune system. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2020 Feb 18;147(2):83-85. Epub 2019 Nov 18.

Hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France. Electronic address:

World J Transplant 2019 Oct;9(6):103-122

Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Saints Cosmas and Damian Hospital, Pescia 51017, Italy.

Therapeutic apheresis is a cornerstone of therapy for several conditions in transplantation medicine and is available in different technical variants. In the setting of kidney transplantation, immunological barriers such as ABO blood group incompatibility and preformed donor-specific antibodies can complicate the outcome of deceased- or living- donor transplantation. Postoperatively, additional problems such as antibody-mediated rejection and a recurrence of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can limit therapeutic success and decrease graft survival. Read More

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2020 Jan 7;18(1):34-38. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.

Blood 2019 10;134(16):1275-1277

Transfusion 2019 12 4;59(12):3714-3720. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) therapy has proved to be an effective and safe treatment for graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD), an important complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In 2016, we acquired Therakos CellEx, a dedicated inline ECP device to accomplish a significant increase in ECP activity. In literature, we found few data reporting CellEx performance evaluated in terms of collection efficiency to qualify the device. Read More

Vox Sang 2020 Jan 4;115(1):81-93. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a leukapheresis-based cellular therapy that is used with increasing frequency worldwide to treat various T-cell-mediated diseases. Currently, the inhibition of T-cell proliferation after photopheresis is analysed frequently using time-consuming assays including radioactive thymidine assays or carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) staining. We investigated whether simple surface T-cell staining using surrogate markers of T-cell proliferation can replace time-consuming measurement of T-cell proliferation in ECP quality control. Read More

Curr Res Transl Med 2020 Apr 17;68(2):71-76. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Unité d'Allogreffe, Maladies du sang, CHRU, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, LIRIC, INSERM U995, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France. Electronic address:

Therapeutic options are limited for patients developing refractory sclerotic-type chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. We previously showed that imatinib mesylate (IM) could be efficacious in this situation, although complete responses were uncommon (Magro L Blood 2009). We hypothesized that the combination of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) and IM could have synergistic effects to treat SR steroid-refractory cGVHD. Read More

Br J Nurs 2019 Oct;28(18):1196-1200

Consultant Haematologist, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Rotherham.

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) following allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplant is considered the manifestation of chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) in the lung, and affects about 14% of patients with cGvHD, mainly in the first 2 years after transplant. Despite advances in assessment, diagnosis and treatment, the clinical prognosis remains poor for patients with pulmonary manifestations of cGvHD. A pilot study of 50 patients was devised to establish whether a relationship exists between forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) via pulmonary function test (PFT) and the equivalent peak expiratory flow (PEF) via peak flow handheld spirometry in cGvHD patients receiving extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). Read More

Oncotarget 2019 Sep 10;10(52):5492. Epub 2019 Sep 10.

Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26900. Read More

J Transl Med 2019 09 18;17(1):312. Epub 2019 Sep 18.

Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS, UMR 5309, 38000, Grenoble, France.

Background: Despite major advances in rheumatoid arthritis outcome, not all patients achieve remission, and there is still an unmet need for new therapeutic approaches. This study aimed at evaluating in a pre-clinical murine model the efficacy of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and to provide a relevant study model for dissecting ECP mechanism of action in autoimmune diseases.

Methods: DBA/1 mice were immunized by subcutaneous injection of bovine collagen type II, in order to initiate the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Read More

Transfusion 2019 11 4;59(11):3461-3467. Epub 2019 Sep 4.

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona.

Background: Patients requiring chronic apheresis treatments typically lack sufficient peripheral venous access to support long-term therapy. Historically, central venous tunneled catheters, septum-bearing subcutaneous ports, and fistulas were used to obtain required blood flow rates for apheresis procedures. In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first intravascular device specifically designed for apheresis therapy, the PowerFlow Implantable Apheresis IV Port. Read More

Blood 2019 10;134(16):1346-1350

Department of Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has demonstrated therapeutic benefit in patients with Sézary syndrome (SS) and erythrodermic mycosis fungoides (e-MF). To examine the efficacy of ECP in the modern era of novel therapies, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 65 patients with a diagnosis of SS or e-MF with blood involvement who were treated with ECP at our institute. Overall survival (OS), time to next treatment (TTNT), and skin response rate (RR) were used as the study end points to determine patient outcome. Read More

Dermatol Clin 2019 Oct;37(4):455-469

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, 240 East 38th Street, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10016, USA; New York Harbor VA Healthcare System, Dermatology Residency Training Program. Electronic address:

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) represents a heterogeneous group of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas in which monoclonal T lymphocytes infiltrate the skin. The mechanism of CTCL development is not fully understood, but likely involves dysregulation of various genes and signaling pathways. A variety of treatment modalities are available, and although they can induce remission in most patients, the disease may recur after treatment cessation. Read More

Vox Sang 2019 Nov 28;114(8):884-889. Epub 2019 Aug 28.

Immunohaematology and Transfusion Service, Apheresis and Cell Therapy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.

Background And Objectives: Very recently, Fresenius Kabi, improved the software (autoMNC lymphocytes, SW 04.03.08) for mononuclear cells (MNCs) collection with the aim to ameliorate the quality of harvest, employing the automated autoMNC lymphocytes software SW 04. Read More

J Clin Apher 2019 Dec 22;34(6):666-671. Epub 2019 Aug 22.

Pharmacy Services, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is associated with few adverse effects. We have anecdotally noted patients treated with long-term ECP develop iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patients who received ECP for any indication at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Mayo Clinic Arizona. Read More

J Clin Apher 2019 Dec 12;34(6):700-702. Epub 2019 Aug 12.

Pediatric Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in young pediatric patients has a risk for procedural hypotension and anemia due to extracorporeal fluid shifts. A standard mitigation policy in these patients is to prime the device with packed red blood cells (RBC) or whole blood. We now report multiple episodes of hemolysis while attempting to prime the Therakos Cellex in a pediatric transplant patient undergoing a course of ECP for severe graft-vs-host-disease. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2019 Aug 22;58(4):515-524. Epub 2019 Jul 22.

Service de Néphrologie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Background - Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has shown encouraging results in the prevention of allograft rejection in heart transplantation. However, the role of ECP in kidney transplant (KT) rejection needs to be determined. Methods - This multicentre retrospective study included 33 KT recipients who were treated with ECP for allograft rejection (23 acute antibody-mediated rejections (AMRs), 2 chronic AMRs and 8 acute cellular rejections (ACRs)). Read More

Dermatology 2020 30;236(2):105-110. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,

Background: Scleroderma is a heterogeneous group of diseases that can be localized or systemic. Localized scleroderma is a fibrosis of the skin characterized by inflammation and thickening due to excessive collagen deposition, and systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by vasculopathy, immune dysregulation and skin fibrosis. In general, the prognosis of scleroderma highly depends on the degree of visceral involvement and relates to the degree of skin fibrosis. Read More

Asian J Transfus Sci 2019 Jan-Jun;13(1):66-69

Department of Medical Oncology, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.

Sezary syndrome (SS) is more aggressive leukemic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in which a significant number of circulating malignant (Sezary) cells are observed in peripheral blood. Although single-agent or combination chemotherapy regimens have produced moderately high response rates in patients with advanced-stage SS, these responses are invariably not durable. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is recommended as an immunomodulator treatment, offering better life quality for patient. Read More

J Cutan Med Surg 2019 Sep/Oct;23(5):537-544. Epub 2019 Jul 29.

1 Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are chronic, progressive primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) for which there are no curative treatments. Skin-directed therapies, such as phototherapy, radiation therapy, or topical nitrogen mustard, provide only short-term remissions. Numerous attempts with different chemotherapeutic regimes failed to achieve meaningful clinical responses. Read More

Blood Adv 2019 07;3(14):2218-2229

Division of Haematology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

The investigation of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) plus standard of care (SoC) (SoC+ECP) in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) within prospective, randomized clinical studies is limited, despite its frequent clinical use. This phase 1/pilot study was the first randomized, prospective study to investigate ECP use as first-line therapy in cGVHD, based on the 2015 National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus criteria for diagnosis and response assessment. Adult patients with new-onset (≤3 years of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) moderate or severe cGVHD were randomized 1:1 to 26 weeks of SoC+ECP vs SoC (corticosteroids and cyclosporine A/tacrolimus) between 2011 and 2015. Read More