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Old Thu Apr 3, 2014, 11:29 PM
DanL DanL is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 590
Here is the slightly technical version of what photopheresis is supposed to do:

"In medicine, photopheresis (aka extracorporeal photopheresis or ECP)[1] is a form of apheresis and photodynamic therapy in which blood is treated with a photosensitizing agent and subsequently irradiated with specified wavelengths of light to achieve an effect. Specifically, buffy coat (WBC + platelets) is separated from whole blood, chemically treated with 8-methoxypsoralen (instilled into collection bag or given per os in advance), exposed to ultraviolet light (UVA), and returned to the patient.[2] Activated 8-methoxypsoralen crosslinks DNA in exposed cells, ultimately resulting apoptosis of nucleated cells.[1] The photochemically damaged T-cells returned to the patient appear to induce cytotoxic effects on T-cell formation. The mechanism of such “antitumor” action has not been elucidated."

It is a good tool, and I have heard of good results from some patients locally.

I think that in addition to the oxycodone, maybe being on a continuous drip of Fentanyl (sp?) with on-demand features may be of use in dealing with the pains and discomfort your husband is experiencing. This combo seemed to help me quite a bit for a few days that it was needed.

Other possible options that i have seen out there is treatment with Campath, Rituxan, and other targeted chemo drugs to reduce the severity of attack while not completely destroying the donor marrow.
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MDS RCMD w/grade 2-3 fibrosis. Allo-MUD Feb 26, 2014. Relapsed August 2014. Free and clear of MDS since November 2014 after treatment with Vidaza and Rituxan. Experiencing autoimmune attack on CNS thought to be GVHD, some gut, skin and ocular cGVHD. Neuropathy over 80% of body.
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