ABSTRACT
Extracorporeal photopheresis is a new form of immunotherapy that involves the use of a leukapheresis device that permits the extracorporeal exposure of potentially pathogenic peripheral blood leukocytes to 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet A radiation followed by the reinfusion of the treated cells. Plasma levels at or above 100 ng/ml or levels within the photopheresis buffy coat bag above 50 ng/ml are recommended. Follow-up evaluation of erythrodermic patients who participated in the initial multicenter trial of photopheresis has suggested that this therapy may prolong survival beyond that expected with conventional therapies. P. W. Heald and colleagues have determined that duration of disease prior to the initiation of photopheresis, as well as the extent of prior treatment, also correlated with response to therapy. A pilot study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of photopheresis in the therapy of cases of pemphigus vulgaris that were resistant to treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.
