Extracorporeal photopheresis and the cellular mechanisms: Effects of 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA treatment on red blood cells, platelets and reactive oxygen species.

The effect of the ECP therapy is probably not exclusively mediated by leukocytes. Platelet activation is another striking effect caused by the treatment of the apheresis product with 8-MOP/UVA. However, since we could hardly identify any evidence for eryptosis or haemolysis, it is unlikely that red blood cell eryptosis is part of the therapeutic mechanism. Further research on this topic seems to be promising.