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Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP)

Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP)
ECP is an immunotherapy approved for CTCL and recommended for patients with blood involvement. That is, CTCL cells detected in the blood (Sezary Syndrome and Stage III Erythrodermic MF).  In this three to five hour procedure a portion of the patient's blood is removed from the vein, and placed into a portable machine that separates the white blood cells, mixes them with a photosensitizing drug (methoxsalen) and exposes them to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. ECP is PUVA phototherpy (see phototherapy, above) for white blood cells. The treated cells are then put back (re-infused) into the body through the vein.  It is well tolerated and has few side effects. It is believed that photopheresis helps boost the immune system’s ability to fight off CTCL cells.  Patients are typically treated on two successive days, 3-4 weeks apart. Usually, six to nine treatments are required before a therapeutic effect may be seen. Photopheresis is often combined with other therapies such as interferons or bexarotene.  For further information, please visit www.therakos.com (this is an external link that will open in a new window).

Further Information:
Cutaneous Lymphoma Patient Educational Webinar: Photopheresis Overview with presentation by Dr. Larisa Geskin

Photopheresis: clinical applications and mechanism of action. Rook, A.H. et al. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc 1999 Sep;4(1):85-90. (This is an external link that will open in a new window.)

A Primer on Extra Corporeal Photopheresis by Sue McCann, MSN, RN, DNC

Cutaneous Lymphoma Patient Educational Webinar: Focus on Photopheresis

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