Case Report: Treating Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis with Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
What is it about?
Currently, with the exception of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), no treatment has ever been shown to reverse the overall disease process in a patient diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This case report is the first published to document the effects of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) as a sole intervention over a 22 year period. The patient went into full clinical remission over a two year period and has remained in full remission for the past 22 years as long as regular TPE is continued.
Why is it important?
No conventional treatment approach has been shown to fundamentally alter the overall course of systemic sclerosis. At best they delay progression. This case report suggests that long-term TPE might be able to initially stop disease progression and potentially lead to gradual recovery of damaged organ systems over time.