What is extracorporeal photophoresis?

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a treatment in which peripheral blood is exposed in an extracorporeal circuit to UVA following administration of 8-methoxypsoralen. Response rates of 50% to 80% have been observed in CTCL. ECP is also used as a treatment for chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. The mechanism of action is thought to be activation of cellular apoptosis and possible immunomodulatory effects. The treatment is expensive, requires the availability of specialized equipment, and is administered on an outpatient basis in a hospital setting. It is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved treatment for mycosis fungoides.

Bisaccia E, Gonzalez J, Palangio M, et al: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy alone or with adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a 9-year retrospective study at a single institution, J Am Acad Dermatol 43:263–271, 2000.