Applications

1420.1 – Extracorporeal photopheresis for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type Re-application
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome Supported

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) service is indicated for the management of steroids-refractory Cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (CTCL). It is a cell-based immunomodulatory therapy performed via intravenous access, comprising three stages: leukapheresis, photoactivation and reinfusion. Blood is passed through multiple cycles of leukapheresis. At the end of the each leukapheresis cycle, the red blood cells and plasma are returned to the patient. Only a small percentage (approximately 10%) of leukocytes is collected from peripheral blood. These white blood cells are incubated with a photosensitising agent, methoxsalen (UVADEX®), and are then exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation, after which the treated cells are reinfused back to the patient.

Type: Therapeutic

Medical condition this application addresses

CTCL is a rare type of lymphoma characterised by the accumulation of malignant T-cells in the skin resulting in raised, rash-like or itchy patches of skin, skin lumps or ulcers and swollen lymph nodes.

Previous applications

1420 – Extracorporeal photopheresis for treatment of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: N/A
  • ESC meeting: 13 - 14 February 2020
  • MSAC meeting: 3 April 2020