Extracorporeal Photopheresis for Acute Graft Versus Host Disease

"ECP will be performed using the UVAR® XTS™ photopheresis system (Therakos). Whole blood is drawn and separated by centrifuge to collect the buffy coat (lymphocyte solution). Methoxsalen (8-MOP) is added to the blood, and the final solution of cells is passed as a film, 1mm thick, through a disposable plastic device, exposed to a UVA light source (2J/cm2/cell) and then returned to the patient.~ECP will be performed weekly on 2 consecutive days for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks the interval will be prolonged to every 2 weeks and ECP will be stopped after maximal response has been maintained for 2 weeks. The actual study finishes at d56 but ECP may be continued beyond that (off-study) at the discretion of the physician."