A multicenter prospective phase 2 randomized study of extracorporeal photopheresis for treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease

Impact of extracorporeal photopheresis on skin scores and quality of life in patients with steroid-refractory chronic GVHD

“…[17][18][19][20][21][22] To date, very few studies have investigated the impact of ECP on QoL. In the only randomized controlled trial to date, Flowers et al 10 used a Targeted Symptoms Assessment questionnaire, which included 12 questions to assess the effect of cutaneous, ocular and oral GVHD on various aspects of patients' QoL. In this study, baseline scores were similar between the two arms, and after 12 weeks of ECP there was a significant difference between the median improvement in TSA scores in the ECP arm compared with the control arm (19% vs 2.5%, P ¼ 0.01).…”

“…Previous reports have used a variety of schedules and have not reported the effect on QoL using validated questionnaires. [6][7][8][9][10] This is the first prospective study to investigate the effect of a fortnightly schedule of ECP on clinical response and QoL in cGVHD using two validated questionnaires. This report benefits from a standardised regimen of ECP, prospective data accrual, lack of inter-observer variation and stringent use of NIH criteria.…”

“…[2][3][4][5] To date, there are only a few prospective studies of ECP for this condition [6][7][8][9] and one randomised prospective trial. 10 In addition, there are few data on the effect of ECP on quality of life (QoL) in patients with cGVHD.…”

“…[2][3][4][5] To date, there are only a few prospective studies of ECP for this condition 6-9 and one randomised prospective trial. 10 In addition, there are few data on the effect of ECP on quality of life (QoL) in patients with cGVHD.In a retrospective study, we have previously shown that a fortnightly regimen of ECP improved the clinical signs and symptoms of cGVHD. 2 The aim of the current report was to prospectively assess the effect of a fortnightly schedule of ECP on the clinical signs and symptoms of cGVHD.…”

Extracorporeal photopheresis increases neutrophilic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with GvHD

“…3,4 Despite its clinical effectiveness, the immunomodulatory mechanisms of ECP are not fully understood. 5 Previous studies proposed triggering of lymphocyte, monocyte and natural killer cell apoptosis, 6 the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs), [7][8][9] including enhancement of Treg function, 10 modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and/ or induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells [11][12][13][14] as potential modes of ECP action.…”