Leukocytapheresis using a leukocyte removal filter

Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) long has been investigated with a leukocyte removal filter for the treatment of various kinds of autoimmune related and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and so on. A lot of patients with such diseases have been reported to respond to LCAP. Asahi Medical Co. has developed the leukocyte removal filter Cellsorba and an extracorporeal treatment unit Plasauto LC so that the LCAP technique can be performed easily with a high performance filter, easy attachment of the blood circuit tubing set, and automatic operation. Cellsorba E has been listed as a medical device reimbursed by Japanese national health insurance to be used in LCAP for active ulcerative colitis since October 2001. Although the effective mechanism of LCAP is still controversial, the removal of activated leukocyte from the peripheral blood and the reaction by blood contacting materials in Cellsorba can be triggers of the immunomodulation for the treatment of immune disorder. This review introduces the development of LCAP technologies and several reports on therapeutic results.