Extracorporeal Photopheresis
The Blood Donor Program, under the direction of Dr. Zbigniew M. Szczepiorkowski, MD, PhD, offers Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) as a treatment option for Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and for some forms of graft versus host disease (GVHD) in transplant patients.
ECP is an innovative cellular therapy that uses the THERAKOS UVAR® XTS™ Photopheresis instrument, a system designed specifically for this procedure.
- In this procedure, a small portion of the patient's white blood cells is collected, treated with a medicine (methoxsalen) that is then activated by brief exposure to UVA (ultraviolet-A) light, and then promptly returned to the blood stream.
- Photopheresis is done in repeated treatments that may gradually reduce symptoms over time.
- It is typically done on an outpatient basis, and each treatment takes about three to four hours.
Contact the Blood Donor Program at (603) 653-3775 for more information.
