Role of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in patients with refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease

Br J Haematol. 2005 Jul;130(2):271-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05586.x.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) may be beneficial in patients with steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). However, it is not yet clear whether certain conditions, such as age, mode of onset of cGvHD etc., influence clinical response and whether certain affected organs are more sensitive to ECP than others. We analysed the main clinical and laboratory parameters related to evolution of the disease in 32 steroid-refractory cGvHD patients, to identify any useful response predictors to ECP. ECP affected the course of the disease positively in 78% (25/32) of our cases.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photopheresis*
  • Prognosis
  • Thrombocytopenia / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome