Plasma exchange and leukapheresis in psoriasis--no effect?

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
• Dialysis has shown some beneficial effects in psoriasis patients, suggesting a potential
• psoriasis factor
• or circulating toxins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of plasma exchange and leukapheresis in treating severe or therapy-resistant psoriasis.
• To evaluate the hypothesis that a removable
• psoriasis factor
• contributes to the disease.
• To determine if reducing leukocyte counts impacts psoriasis severity.

Main Methods:

• Nine patients with severe or therapy-resistant psoriasis were enrolled.
• Treatments included plasma exchange and/or leukapheresis.
• Patients were monitored for clinical improvement.

Main Results:

• None of the nine patients exhibited convincing signs of improvement after treatment.
• No significant reduction in psoriasis severity was observed.
• The study found no evidence supporting the
• psoriasis factor
• hypothesis.

Conclusions:

• Plasma exchange and leukapheresis are not effective treatments for severe or therapy-resistant psoriasis.
• The results challenge the existence of a removable
• psoriasis factor
• as a primary driver of psoriasis.
• Removing large numbers of leukocytes does not appear to promote healing in psoriasis patients.