Extracorporeal photopheresis: Who and when – understanding the role of ECP in different GvHD phenotypes

16 October 2026

Lisbon, Portugal

Time: 09:00 – 15:30

Moderator: Prof Nicolaus Kröger, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany

09:00 – 09:05

Welcome & Introduction

Prof Nicolaus Kröger, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany

09:05 – 09:45

GvHD: from guidelines to practice

Prof Nicolaus Kröger, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany

09:45 – 10:05

What is the place of extracorporeal photopheresis for treating GvHD in 2026?

Prof Robert Zeiser, University of Freiburg, Germany

10:05 – 10:15

Q&A

Prof Nicolaus Kröger, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany

Prof Robert Zeiser, University of Freiburg, Germany

10:15 – 10:45

First profile: overlap syndrome patient – gaps between guidelines and reality

• Patient case(s)

• Discussion – treatment algorithms, arguments pro & con ECP

Speaker TBC

10:45 – 11:15

Coffee break

11:15 – 11:45

Second profile: long term steroid patient – gaps between guidelines and reality

• Patient case(s)

• Discussion – treatment algorithms, arguments pro & con ECP

Speaker TBC

11:45 – 12:15

Third profile: oral mucosa dominant patient – gaps between guidelines and reality

• Patient case(s)

• Discussion – treatment algorithms, arguments pro & con ECP

Speaker TBC

12:15 – 12:45

Fourth profile: lung and fibrosis dominant patient – gaps between guidelines and reality

• Patient case(s)

• Discussion – treatment algorithms, arguments pro & con ECP

Speaker TBC

12:45 – 13:15

Fifth profile: lung and fibrosis dominant patient – gaps between guidelines and reality

• Patient case(s)

• Discussion – treatment algorithms, arguments pro & con ECP

Speaker TBC

13:15 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 14:30

Sixth profile: lung and fibrosis dominant patient – gaps between guidelines and reality

• Patient case(s)

• Discussion – treatment algorithms, arguments pro & con ECP

Speaker TBC

14:30 – 14:50

Making ECP work: Collaboration between prescribers, apheresis teams and nurses

Dr Sara Lopes, IPO Porto, Portugal

14:50 – 15:10

Making ECP work: Collaboration between prescribers, apheresis teams and nurses

Speaker TBC

15:10 – 15:30

Summary of individual sessions with takeaway messages & closing

Prof Nicolaus Kröger, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany

ECP: Extracorporeal Photopheresis, aGvHD: Acute Graft versus Host Disease, cGvHD: Chronic Graft versus Host Disease GvHD: Graft versus Host Disease

All speakers are subject to contract.

Brought to you by the Therakos Institute

This is a commercial programme run by Therakos (UK) Ltd.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE THERAKOS™ PHOTOPHERESIS PROCEDURE

Indications

The THERAKOS™ CELLEX™ Photopheresis System is indicated for patients older than 18 years of age for the administration of photopheresis in the following:

Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)
Solid Organ Transplant Rejection (SOT) (heart, lung)

The THERAKOS™ CELLEX™ Photopheresis System is indicated in patients older than 3 years of age for the management of:

Acute and Chronic Graft versus Host Disease (aGvHD, cGvHD)

Contraindications

THERAKOS^TM Photopheresis is contraindicated in:

Patients possessing a specific history of a light sensitive disease
Patients who cannot tolerate extracorporeal volume loss or who have white blood cell counts greater than 25,000 / mm³
Patients who have coagulation disorders or who have previously had a splenectomy

Warnings and Precautions

THERAKOS^TMPhotopheresis treatments should always be performed in locations where standard medical emergency equipment is available. Volume replacement fluids and/or volume expanders should be readily available throughout the procedure.

Do not expose the device to a magnetic resonance (MR) environment. The device may present a risk of projectile injury, and thermal injury and burns may occur. The device may generate artifacts in the MR image, or may not function properly.
Thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, have been reported in the treatment of Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). Special attention to adequate anticoagulation is advised when treating patients with GvHD.
When prescribing and administering THERAKOS Photopheresis for patients receiving concomitant therapy, exercise caution when changing treatment schedules to avoid increased disease activity that may be caused by abrupt withdrawal of previous therapy.

Adverse Events

Hypotension may occur during any treatment involving extracorporeal circulation. Closely monitor the patient during the entire treatment for hypotension.
Transient pyretic reactions, 37.7–38.9°C (100–102°F), have been observed in some patients within six to eight hours of reinfusion of the photoactivated leukocyte-enriched blood. A temporary increase in erythroderma may accompany the pyretic reaction.
Treatment frequency exceeding labelling recommendations may result in anaemia.
Venous access carries a small risk of infection and pain.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR METHOXSALEN USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THERAKOS^TM PHOTOPHERESIS

Consult the 8-methoxypsoralen (Methoxsalen (20 micrograms / mL)) professional leaflet or the oral 8-methoxypsoralen formulation package insert before prescribing or dispensing any medication.

Warnings and Precautions

Patients exhibiting multiple basal cell carcinomas or having a history of basal cell carcinoma should be diligently observed and treated.
Methoxsalen may cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman. Women undergoing photopheresis should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant.
Special care should be exercised in treating patients who are receiving concomitant therapy (either topically or systemically) with known photosensitizing agents.
Oral administration of methoxsalen followed by cutaneous UVA exposure (PUVA therapy) is carcinogenic.
Patients should be told emphatically to wear UVA absorbing, wrap-around sunglasses for twenty-four (24) hours after methoxsalen treatment. They should wear these glasses any time they are exposed to direct or indirect sunlight, whether they are outdoors or exposed through a window.

Refer to the package insert for methoxsalen sterile solution (20 micrograms / mL) or the oral 8-methoxypsoralen dosage formulation for a list of all warnings and precautions.

Extracorporeal photopheresis: Who and when – understanding the role of ECP in different GvHD phenotypes

Time: 09:00 – 15:30

Brought to you by the Therakos Institute

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE THERAKOS™ PHOTOPHERESIS PROCEDURE

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR METHOXSALEN USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THERAKOSTM PHOTOPHERESIS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR METHOXSALEN USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THERAKOS^TM PHOTOPHERESIS