Current topics on cytapheresis technologies

K Yamaji ¹, H Tsuda, H Hashimoto Ther Apher  2001 Aug;5(4):287-92. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-0968.2001.00358.x.

Cytapheresis has been investigated recently for the treatment of autoimmune related diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis, and so on. A large number of physicians have indicated that patients with autoimmune diseases respond to cytapheresis treatment. The effective mechanism of cytapheresis for immune disorders is still controversial. However, the removal of the leukocyte including granulocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte may play a crucial role in correcting imbalance of the immune system. A session of cytapheresis including leukocytapheresis (LCAP) and granulocytapheresis (GCAP) may not create a sufficient amount of cell removal for the human body. However, the cell removal can be a trigger of the immunomodulation as the treatment for immune disorder. Furthermore, not only cell removal but also reaction by blood contacting with medical device materials may play a role as an immunomodulation for immune disorders. This review introduces current cytapheresis technologies and attempts to elucidate the effective mechanism of cytapheresis for immune disorders, focused on LCAP and/or GCAP for RA or IBD.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11724514/