Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) has been an essential tool in clinical practice for over 25 years. Yet, in Europe, there remains a significant opportunity to uncover its full potential, especially in the realm of solid organ transplant care. Recognising this, we took proactive steps to drive positive change.
Addressing knowledge and access gaps
ECP stands out as a promising immunomodulatory therapy, but disparities in education and access persist across transplant centres. To combat this challenge, ESOT established an expert working group. Their mission is clear: to explore ECP’s mechanism of action (Moa), identify educational gaps, and propose a standardised approach for heart, lung, and kidney transplant recipients.
Fostering a stronger ECP Community
In April 2023, ESOT initiated a 48-month multidisciplinary project aimed at enhancing knowledge and ensuring equitable access to ECP. Thanks to Therakos’s support, this initiative is set to transform our understanding and delivery of ECP across Europe.
Our achievements :
- Clinical Insight Collection: We launched a survey and gathered retrospective data from various countries, providing valuable insights into current ECP practices and identifying unmet clinical needs.
- Treatment Monitoring: Our experts are carefully tracking the effectiveness of ECP in transplant patients, with a commitment to improving outcomes across pivotal indications.
- Engaging Educational Events:
– Webinars (Available on ESOT Virtual): Covering topics such as “The Science of ECP,” “The Patient’s Journey,” and “ECP in Solid Organ Transplantation.”
– Online Country Workshops: Conducted in native languages, these sessions have explored the ECP’s mechanism of action and clinical relevance. Recordings are accessible through ESOT’s YouTube playlist.
- Centralised Knowledge Base: The RECPE Repository now offers high-quality, evidence-based content on ECP in solid organ transplantation, providing healthcare professionals worldwide with easy access to critical information.
Looking ahead: continued learning and collaboration
Our journey is far from over. Here’s what we have to look forward to:
- A new online course on ESOT Transplant Live
- The prestigious ECP Award, to be announced at the upcoming ESOT Congress in London
- Ongoing collaboration between immune-haematologists and transplant physicians, fostering innovation and shared learning
Our ultimate goal is to produce a comprehensive peer-reviewed manuscript containing international recommendations, destined for Transplant International, ESOT’s official journal.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Experts
This initiative thrives on the dedication of our ECP Expert Study Group: Luciano Potena, Markus Johannes Barten, Fritz Diekmann, Eric Epailly, Andrew Fisher, Andrew Gennery, Johannes Gökler, Julie Guest, Anne-Elisabeth Heng, James Hutchinson, Teresa Rampino, and Robin Vos.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Therakos™, whose THERAKOS™ CELLEX™ System is instrumental in the administration of ECP. This initiative serves as a blueprint for advancing both care and education in solid organ transplant treatment.
Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future in how ECP is understood, accessed, and implemented across Europe.