Study of Cell Death Types Caused by Extracorporeal Photochemotherapy in Adults with Certain Immune and Cancer Conditions

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the types of cell death caused by extracorporeal photochemotherapy ECP, a cell therapy used to modulate the immune system and induce tolerance. ECP is mainly used to control graft-versus-host disease GVHD after hematopoietic cell transplants, manage rejection in solid organ transplants, and treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The study aims to clarify how ECP affects different cell types by analyzing the cell death mechanisms involved, which are currently not well understood. ECP involves repeated sessions where leukocytes are collected from the patient through apheresis, treated with a photosensitizer called 8-MOP, exposed to UVA light, and then reinfused. This closed-circuit process may help regulate immune responses differently depending on the disease context, such as promoting regulatory cells in GVHD and transplant rejection or activating anti-tumor responses in lymphoma. The study collects samples from the ECP circuit before and after treatment without additional punctures to analyze cell death types like necroptosis, apoptosis, pyroptosis, or autophagy. Participants will be adult patients who have received ECP treatment for at least one month for their respective conditions. The research includes detailed analysis of the cell death occurring within 24 hours after sensitization and irradiation. By examining cell death types and their timing, the study seeks to better understand how ECP works to resolve inflammation or fight tumors. The trial is sponsored by the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besancon and will continue until July 2025.

MORPHEE : Mechanisms of Cell Death Induced by Extracorporeal Photochemotherapy