Therapeutic Apheresis in Dermatological Diseases

Since the mid-1970s, membrane modules became available and plasma separation techniques have gained importance. Therapeutic apheresis (TA) has been successfully introduced in a variety of autoantibody-mediated diseases. In dermatology, TA is increasingly applied as a support treatment for severe and/or refractory autoimmune bullous diseases. All autoimmune disease are characterized by autoantibodies mediated against structural proteins of the skin and/or mucous membranes. Autoimmune blistering diseases have a high morbidity and mortality. These diseases include pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid among others. Drug-induced pemphigus and other forms, such as dermatitis herpetiformis, herpes gestationis, scleroderma, pyoderma gangrenosum, epidermal necrolysis, Behcet disease, psoriasis vulgaris, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and porphyria cutanea tarda, are also mentioned. Pathogenetical aspects of autoantibodies in these diseases are clearly demonstrated. TA has been shown to effectively remove the autoantibodies from blood and lead to rapid clinical improvement.