Enzyme therapy and immuno-adsorption by an extra-corporeal device.

An extra-corporeal chamber has been constructed and used for diagnosis, enzyme therapy and immuno-adsorption. The chamber is made from polymethyl-acrylate and the dimensions of the chamber are 10 x 18 x 7 cm. It contains 23 plates with a total area of 0.5 m2. In most cases no pump is used. The active substance is bound covalently to the plate surfaces. The time for each hemoperfusion has been 3-6 hr. No infections, decrease of thrombocytes or other side effects have been observed. By immobilized homologous antisera (F (ab')2), three putative tumour-associated antigens were isolated from cases of hypernephroma. Two children and one adult patient with malignant lymphoma were treated with extra-corporeal L-asparaginase, the latter with repeated remissions of metastases. The level of antibodies against Factor VIII was significantly decreased by chamber immunoadsorption in two cases of hemophilia. A number of kidney transplantation cases received extra-corporeal L-asparaginase pre- and post-operatively to counteract rejection. In all around 50 patients have received extra-corporeal treatment without any adverse effects. The use of the extra-corporeal chamber in other diseases is discussed.