title: Granulocyte/monocyte apheresis as immunotherapic tool: cellular adsorption and immune modulation.
abstract: Cellular apheresis is now established as a rational therapeutic procedure in certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, particularly in inflammatory bowel diseases, but the efficacy of this procedure can not be fully explained solely on the basis of removal of granulocytes and monocytes. It is suggested that a selective modulator increase of regulatory T cells contributes to beneficial effect of adsorptive leukocytapheresis in patients with these pathologies. Though currently applied as second-line medication, it could be considered in the future as an effective alternative to the use of immune suppressive regimens or biological agents and taken into account to establish a tailor's patient therapy in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Donostia, Sección de Inmunología, Paseo doctor Begiristain s/n, San Sebastián 20014, País Vasco, Spain. EMILIO.CUADRADODELBARRIO@OSAKIDETZA.NET
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cuadrado
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D006098:Granulocytes; D006801:Humans; D055633:Immune System Phenomena; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000379:methods*; D009000:Monocytes; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome