Knowledge Corner: The Role of Extracorporeal Therapies in Treating Cancer and Other Life-Threatening Conditions

Interest and application of extracorporeal therapies have expanded tremendously as advanced standards of care in veterinary therapeutics in the past decade. Of the extracorporeal modalities, therapeutic apheresis (including therapeutic plasma exchange, plasma adsorption, and leukocytapheresis) has emerged most recently and provides therapeutic options for diseases which otherwise might be difficult to control by conventional means. This session will review the theory, equipment, indications, and applications of therapeutic apheresis with emphasis on therapeutic plasma exchange and the emerging role for leukocytapheresis in the delivery of cell-based therapies for cancer. We will also address ways to efficiently implement this service and optimize staff utilization within your practice.