Leukapheresis, Performed To Obtain the Patient's Own Blood Cells for Later Transplant, Has Potential in Cancer Treatment
Leukapheresis refers to a medical process involving the separation of white blood cells from a patient's plasma or blood. In most situations, this separation is achieved by "micronizing" the plasma. Essentially, this is done by subjecting it to an extreme temperature, which causes it to coagulate (turn coagulant) - this process is similar to that used in photothermolysis, where the very hot surfaces of photorefractive plates are exposed to high energy levels in order to produce a reaction with their substrate, creating a change in color. Leukapheresis also involves the use of chemicals; generally, "leukotriene modifiers" are the chemical that undergo this separation process and can range from the fairly benign to the potentially life threatening. Several companies in the U.S. are focused on leukapheresis collections. For instance, in January 2019, Key Biologics LLC, a Cellero company based in the U.S., and Cascade Regional Blood Services announc...