Photopheresis is a procedure that changes blood cells called lymphocytes to help them fight cancer or calm your immune response. During photopheresis, a machine removes your lymphocytes and treats them with UVA light before they’re returned to you. Photopheresis treats some forms of cancer, graft versus host disease and organ transplant rejection.
Photopheresis (pronounced “FOH-toh-feh-REE-sis”) is a procedure that uses light to change your white blood cells called lymphocytes. Your lymphocytes play an important role in your body’s immune response by destroying cancer cells, bacteria and viruses. Photopheresis can help if there’s a problem with your lymphocytes.
By changing your lymphocytes, photopheresis can strengthen or weaken your immune response. It can activate your lymphocytes to fight harmful cells (like cancer cells). Photopheresis can also prevent lymphocytes from attacking cells in your body (like in graft versus host disease in a bone marrow transplant).
Photopheresis is also called extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy (ECP) or photochemotherapy.
Photopheresis is a form of immunotherapy, a treatment that uses your immune system to fight certain conditions.
Photopheresis may be used for:
Other conditions your healthcare provider may treat using photopheresis include:
Treating your lymphocytes during photopheresis changes the way they work. When the treated lymphocytes are returned to your body, they’ll stimulate an immune response in your body to fight cancer cells or slow the progression of GVHD. They’ll prevent your body from attacking a new organ. Photopheresis can also help relieve the symptoms associated with these conditions.
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Your healthcare provider will explain what steps you need to take to prepare. They may recommend that you:
Photopheresis separates your lymphocytes from the rest of your blood, treats the lymphocytes and then returns the treated blood cells (along with the rest of your blood) to you.
During the procedure:
The lymphocytes will either be activated to fight cancer cells or deactivated so they don’t launch an immune response to fight healthy stem cells or a new organ.
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A healthcare provider will check your pulse and blood pressure and ask how you feel. You can go home if your vital signs are normal and you’re not experiencing side effects.
The photopheresis process lasts about three to four hours. You may need several photopheresis sessions before your condition improves. For example, you may need weekly or biweekly treatments at first and then fewer treatment sessions as your symptoms improve.
Your healthcare provider will develop an individual treatment plan based on your condition.
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You’ll lie comfortably in bed during the photopheresis procedure while your blood is taken, processed and re-infused. Photopheresis is a painless procedure.
During the procedure and immediately after, you may notice symptoms similar to giving blood. Changes in your blood volume might cause you to feel dizzy, light-headed, cold or nauseated. Tell a healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms, and they’ll help relieve your discomfort.
Photopheresis is considered a safe procedure. Most people don’t have side effects.
You may experience a slight drop in blood pressure during the procedure. If this is the case, you may receive intravenous fluids to return your blood pressure to normal.
Other possible side effects include nausea, skin redness, dizziness and fever about six to eight hours after the procedure. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.77 degrees Celsius). They might recommend you take medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
Photopheresis makes you more sensitive to the sun. To protect yourself, avoid sunlight, including indirect sunlight, for 24 hours after each session. Indirect sunlight includes light coming through a window, blinds or a curtain.
If you go outside, cover your skin and wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Wear UVA protective sunglasses in a “wraparound” style to protect the sides of your eyes. UVA sunglasses are available in many colors, including clear, at most drug stores. You should wear these inside and outside for 24 hours after each photopheresis treatment session.
Response times vary depending on your condition and your treatment schedule. For example, some studies have demonstrated that people with chronic GVHD experience improvements within three or four months of receiving photopheresis. On the other hand, people with scleroderma may need six to 12 months of treatment before symptoms improve.
Ask your healthcare provider how quickly you can expect results based on your condition and treatment frequency.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Photopheresis is a safe, painless procedure that can help your lymphocytes and immune system work better. It may take some time to notice improvements, but many people with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and graft versus host disease (GVHD) have benefited from this treatment. Unlike some other therapies, it doesn’t typically cause side effects. Ask your healthcare provider how frequently you’ll receive photopheresis and how much time it will take to notice changes in your condition.
Last reviewed on 11/14/2022.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy