The gvhd Hub website uses a third-party service provided by Google that dynamically translates web content. Translations are machine generated, so may not be an exact or complete translation, and the gvhd Hub cannot guarantee the accuracy of translated content. The gvhd and its employees will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages (even if foreseeable) resulting from use of the Google Translate feature. For further support with Google Translate, visit Google Translate Help.
The GvHD Hub is an independent medical education platform, sponsored by Medac and supported through grants from Sanofi and Therakos. The funders are allowed no direct influence on our content. The levels of sponsorship listed are reflective of the amount of funding given. View funders.
Now you can support HCPs in making informed decisions for their patients
Your contribution helps us continuously deliver expertly curated content to HCPs worldwide. You will also have the opportunity to make a content suggestion for consideration and receive updates on the impact contributions are making to our content.
Find out more
Create an account and access these new features:
Bookmark content to read later
Select your specific areas of interest
View gvhd content recommended for you
Mohamad Mohty
Hildegard Greinix
Daniel Wolff
Test your knowledge! Take our quick quiz before and after you read this article to find out if you improved your knowledge. Results help us to improve content and continually provide open-access education.
Question 1 of 1
ECP is not recommended by the European Dermatology Forum as second-line treatment for patients with which of the following?
A
B
C
D
Video series
On November 29, 2022, the GvHD Hub held a virtual symposium on the role of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in the management of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).
Here, we share the presentation given by Mohamad Mohty, Hôpital Saint-Antoine and Sorbonne Université, Paris, FR, which explored the key considerations for the use of ECP in GvHD.
In this presentation, Mohty discusses what is the most appropriate treatment approach in specific cases of acute GvHD (aGvHD) and chronic GvHD (cGvHD) post-allogenic stem cell transplant (allo‑HSCT). Using example cases paired with clinical data, this presentation evaluated the use of ECP plus steroids by assessing the safety and response rates as a first-line treatment option for aGvHD. Mohty then outlines indications for second-line therapy of cGvHD by discussing progression, disease stability, and the intolerance of first-line treatment of ECP plus steroids. Finally, the floor is opened to allow the panel to discuss supportive care options in cGvHD, in which they cover the themes summarized in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Areas of supportive care needed in chronic GvHD*
GvHD, graft-versus-host-disease; Ig, immunoglobulin; IV, intravenous; VZV, varicella zoster virus.
*Mohamad Mohty. Personal communication; Nov 29, 2022.
Watch the presentation to learn more about the key considerations for the use of ECP in GvHD, including:
- The allogenic stem cell transplant process (00:25; slide 5)
- Incidences of aGvHD and cGvHD over time (01:47; slide 6)
- The first-line treatment of aGvHD (02:21; slide 7)
- What ECP is (02:33, slide 8) and the mechanism of action (03:01; slide 9)
- A brief history of ECP (03:08; slide 10)
- Two example cases
- ECP + steroid as first-line treatment of skin predominant aGvHD (3:31; slides 11–22)
- ECP + steroids for the treatment of refractory cGvHD (18:47; slides 23–29)
- Supportive care in cGvHD (28:50; slides 31–32)
Key points
- aGvHD and cGvHD remain serious complications of allo-HSCT.
- The use of ECP has a potent immunomodulatory effect in patients.
- Promising efficacy results are seen with first-line treatment of ECP + steroids.
- Randomized clinical trials are still required to establish the value of ECP in patients.
- It is essential that patients with cGvHD receive supportive care, including infection prophylaxis.
- Further research into the development of predictive biomarkers for ECP may be helpful.
This independent educational activity was supported by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. All content was developed independently by the faculty. The funder was allowed no influence on the content of this activity.
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements:
The content was clear and easy to understand
The content addressed the learning objectives
The content was relevant to my practice
I will change my clinical practice as a result of this content
More from this series:
