Photopheresis As Part Of Conditioning Reduces Incidence Of Severe Graft Versus Host Disease: Fourteen Year Follow-Up Of A Novel Reduced Intensity Regimen For Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens have allowed the use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in older and high risk individuals, though Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) remains an issue. Host antigen presenting cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of GVHD. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been shown to modulate host antigen presenting cell function. Tufts Medical Center developed a novel RIC regimen incorporating ECP, pentostatin and reduced dose total body irradiation (PPT). We now report our 14 year experience with this regimen in 206 consecutive patients not eligible for a myeloablative HSCT.