Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is the first FDA approved cellular photoimmunotherapy for
cancer namely cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and has demonstrated efficacy in various diseases
that have a suspected involvement of pathogenic T-cells including prevention and treatment of
acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease organ transplant rejection selected autoimmune
diseases and Sezary syndrome. In ECP patient s blood mononuclear cells are collected exposed
to ultraviolet light in the presence of extracorporeally administered liquid 8-methoxypsoralen
and reinfused. Besides its considerable efficacy ECP has an exceptional safety profile does
not cause general immunosuppression and thus does not increase risk of infectious
complications and relapse of malignant disease. Exciting preclinical data and clinical
observations provide insight into the mechanisms of action of ECP and support its
immunomodulatory role. This book will provide an overview on the historical development of ECP
technical aspects for its use in various patient populations including children and adults
novel research findings both in preclinical models and in various patient cohorts and will
stimulate further research in organ tissue and cell transplantation and autoimmune disorders.
