Photopheresis is a safe therapy with very few side effects used to treat skin and other conditions where the white blood cells are thought to be the cause of your condition.

The particular white cell it targets is the T-Cell.

ECP is used to treat conditions that involves T-cell blood modulated conditions such acute and chronic GvHD (Graft versus host disease) and Cutaneous T Cell Lyphoma (CTCL).

Photopheresis treatment primarily involves the patient being attached to a machine either by their central venous line if one is in place or, after having a needle inserted into one of the veins in their arm so that blood can temporarily be drawn from the body.

During treatment the patient's blood is drawn off and centrifuged. The red cells and portion of plasma cells not required are returned to the patient after each cycle whilst the amount of leukocytes or buffy coat and plasma required are isolated for further treatment.

The whole process takes between one and three and a half hours depending on which machine is used. With all treatments only a portion of blood is removed, about a pint, similar to that given when people are blood donors and on completion of the treatment, all blood will have been returned to the patient.