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September 5, 2025Open Access

Extracorporeal Photopheresis in Lung Transplantation: Present Applications and Emerging Research

SASophia AlemannoComprehensive Cancer Center Vienna PJPéter JakschBarmherzige Schwestern Krankenhaus Wien ABAlberto BenazzoVienna General Hospital

Key Points

Extracorporeal photopheresis improves outcomes by managing organ rejection in lung transplantation, making it critical for high-risk patients.
Current applications indicate that extracorporeal photopheresis may reduce reliance on immunosuppressive therapies, benefiting patients with comorbidities.
This review synthesizes clinical experiences and ongoing research, providing a thorough understanding of extracorporeal photopheresis mechanisms.
The findings suggest a need for standardized therapeutic protocols for extracorporeal photopheresis in lung transplantation.

Abstract

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory therapy currently used as an add-on treatment for the prevention and management of organ rejection in lung transplantation. Thanks to its immunomodulatory properties and its ability to reduce the need for immunosuppressive therapies, ECP presents a promising therapeutic option, especially for high-risk patients with comorbidities, infections, or malignancies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current indications, clinical experience, and ongoing research surrounding the use of ECP in lung transplantation. Additionally, it delves into the current understanding of the mechanism of action of ECP, its potential role in lung transplantation, and the limitations identified in existing studies. By highlighting these aspects, the review aims to lay the groundwork for future research, which could further elucidate the mechanisms underlying this promising therapy and contribute to the standardization of therapeutic protocols.

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