Mononuclear cell collection for extracorporeal photopheresis: Concentrate characteristics for off‐line UV‐A irradiation procedure.

Background and objective: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is the most represented cell therapy for treatment of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, graft‐versus host disease and organ rejection. We analyzed our experience in ECP using 2 cell separators (Cobe Spectra and Spectra Optia) focusing on leukapheretic product characteristics, UV‐A irradiation procedure and entire ECP process. Materials and methods: We collected data of patients undergoing ECP between January 2012 and February 2015 in order to evaluate collection procedures performed using Cobe Spectra and Spectra Optia, mononuclear cell product, UV‐A photoirradiation procedure by Pit System. Results: We performed 484 ECP procedures in 27 patients. Cobe‐derived mononuclear cell products were characterized by higher cell yields while Optia‐derived mononuclear cell products were characterized by smaller volume, comparable mononuclear cell content but lower erythrocytes, granulocytes, and platelets contamination. Conclusion: Our study confirms good results for both cell separators. Blood volume processed being equal, Cobe collects a number of total nucleated cells significantly higher than Optia. Optia, collecting only target cells without significant erythrocytes, granulocytes and platelets contamination, is able to collect a leukapheretic product particularly suitable for ECP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]