Transplant immunology
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Transplant immunology · Jul 2009
ReviewExtracorporeal photopheresis: from solid organs to face transplantation.
Composite tissue allotransplantations (CTA), were introduced with the first successful hand transplantation and are now a part of reconstructive surgery armamentarium. These reconstructive procedures for non life-threatening indications remain rare due to adverse effects of the associated lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Indeed, despite recent progress, immunosuppressive therapies remain non-specific to the type of donor and still bear significant risks of serious side effects. ⋯ ECP therapy, associated with maintenance immunosuppressive therapy and doses of methylprednisolone, and the control of viral infection, succeeded to reverse the rejection process without the development of other side effects. Despite the fact that the mechanism of action of ECP has not been fully elucidated, this therapy could be a useful supportive therapy during the treatment of acute rejection episodes in composite tissue allotransplantations. In this review, we introduce the interest of ECP implementation in CTA in face allotransplantations.