Efficacy of Extracorporeal Photopheresis in Patients With Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Lung Transplantation

Background: Lung transplantation (LT) is only therapeutic option for patients affected by chronic respiratory failure. Chronic rejection, also known as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), is still the main cause of death and the most important factor that influences post-transplantation quality of life. Currently available therapies have not been proven to result in significant benefit in the prevention or treatment of BOS. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) seems to reduce the rate of lung function decline in transplant recipients with progressive BOS.

Methods: From 1991 until now, 239 LTs were performed at our center. Fifty-four patients (22.5%) developed BOS; 15 of these (27.7%) were treated with ECP. At the beginning of the treatment, all patients showed a mean decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) from baseline values of 45.8% ± 17.2%; 2 patients were in long-term oxygen therapy.

Results: Mean follow-up from November 2013 to June 2016 was 11.6 ± 7 months. Twelve patients (80%) showed lung function stabilization with an FEV range after treatment between -6% to +8% from the pre-treatment values. We did not report any adverse effects or increase of infections incidence.

Discussion: ECP seems to be an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for LT patients with BOS in terms of stabilization of lung function and increased survival.