T‐cell responses in photoimmune therapy

The extracorporeal inactivation of a lymphocyte rich buffy coat suspension with ultraviolet A light and 8 methoxypsoralen can lead to dramatic clinical improvements following reinfusion of the damaged cells. This therapy is reviewed in the context of the disease it is most commonly used for: cutaneous lymphoma. Studies with cutaneous lymphoma patients have shown an active immune response against purified tumor cells. In addition a mouse model for an impact of therapy on a T‐cell lymphoma has demonstrated results that parallel those from clinical studies in humans. The impact of photoimmune therapy on in vivo and in vitro T‐cell responses to cutaneous lymphoma is discussed.