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Apheresis units designed to produce an immunosuppressant response in a patient using extracorporeal light activation (i.e., phototherapy) of leukocytes. These units typically separate the blood cell component to be treated (e.g., leukocytes), incorporate a photosensitive drug (e.g., 8-methoxypsoralen), and then photoactivate them using an appropriate light source (e.g., ultraviolet); the treatment may be tailored to the specific needs of a patient. Phototherapy apheresis units are used in the treatment (either curative or palliative) of several diseases, especially those related to T-cell disorders (e.g., palliative treatment of cutaneous effects of T-cell lymphoma, and organ transplant rejection).
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