Recent advances of apheresis therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease are chronic inflammatory disease with an intractable, recurrent course. The molecular mechanism of these diseases remain unknown. Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) and Granulocytapheresis (GCAP) have been found effective for the treatment of UC and CD. The mechanisms of these therapies are postulated to block recruitment of immune cells to inflamed mucosa and to urge restoration of epithelial cells.