Blood 'Photo' therapy may stop transplant rejection

NCT ID NCT03204721

First seen Nov 01, 2025 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 25 times

Summary

This study tested whether a procedure called extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) could prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in 158 patients receiving stem cell transplants for blood cancers. ECP involves removing white blood cells, treating them with a light-sensitive drug and UV light, then returning them to the patient. The goal was to reduce GVHD, a common and serious complication where donor cells attack the patient's body.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Tobias Gedde-Dhl

    Oslo, Norway

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) with 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet A light

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a way to prevent a serious complication of stem cell transplants, improving survival and quality of life.

What could go wrong

This is a completed study, but results are not yet widely confirmed. The approach is complex and may not work for everyone, and there are risks from the procedure itself.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hematopoietic and lymphoid system neoplasm graft versus host disease prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.