Abstract
In order to selectively remove pathogenic macromolecular reactants, a biological affinity type adsorbent (a DNA colloidin charcoal column or protein A sepharose CL4R = Prosorba) has been developed and used for the treatment of immune disorders, alloimmunization and cancer. However, because physiologically active materials are required in this procedure, it is difficult to ensure an adequate supply of raw materials (and their handling, sterilization and preservation as an immunoadsorbent.
TO overcome the above-mentionned problems, ve developed physico-chemical type immunoadsorbents IM-TR and IM-PH, which consist of polyvinyl alochol gel where tryptophan, in the former, and phenylalanine, in the latter, is used as a ligand. IM-PH has a better selectivitity than IM-TR, however, IM-TR is a more efficient adsorbent of anti-acethylcholine receptor antibody than IM-PH. IM-PH plasma perfusion has been successfully used with patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and multiple sclerosis (MS).