No-one knows for sure what causes the first onset or relapse of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, there is clear information to suggest that an increase in the number of white blood cells is linked to acute attacks. Add in an over-aggressive immune response and you often find the usual symptoms of IBD. The inflammation which occurs when these cells infiltrate the lining of the intestine (gut wall) gives rise to tissue damage. Thanks to its immunomodulating effect on cell response Granulocyte Apheresis (GCAP ) offers a therapeutic alternative to supplement the standard IBD treatments.
HOW DOES GRANULOCYTE APHERESIS WORK?
Blood is drained from a vein in the arm and filtered through a column called Adacolumn that removes the unwanted white blood cells and their products. The “washed” blood is then returned to a vein in the other arm. The session lasts for approximately one hour and the most common regimen is one session per week for five consecutive weeks. The drug heparin is administered during the procedure to prevent blood-clotting problems in other parts of the body.
Routine laboratory tests to determine how well treatment is working reveal a reduction in all of the important markers for the disease, including C-reactive protein, and globular sedimentation rate. There seem to be additional associated benefits as other aspects of the disease process appear to have dampened down, leading to a reduction in symptoms and a considerable improvement in overall health-related quality of life.
This new therapy has been EU licensed since 2000 and NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) has given permission for this treatment to be used in selected, steroid refractory cases and in hospitals with appropriate expertise in the technology. Queens Hospital in Romford uses this treatment in a carefully selected group of patients. Please be aware that in the case of NHS patients this is a special treatment and therefore patients are advised to obtain prior permission from their own PCT (Primary Care Trust) for funding before referral to any centres where this treatment is available.
