Role of photopheresis in the treatment of refractory cellular rejection in kidney transplantation.

Extracorporeal photopheresis is an immunomodulatory technique based on the apoptotic effects of 8methoxypsoralen (8 MOP) and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation on leukocytes. This technique is widely used in T-cell mediated disorders such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, graft-versus-host disease, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The use of this technique in the prophylaxis of acute rejection of lung or heart transplant is promising; however, scarce articles have been published on its application in case of acute cellular rejection refractory to conventional treatment in patients with kidney allograft.