Leukapheresis

Leukapheresis (also called white blood cell removal, leukocytapheresis, or white blood cell apheresis) is a medical procedure, not a molecular target, in which white blood cells are selectively separated from the blood using an apheresis machine equipped with a centrifuge. During the procedure, a patient's or donor’s blood is drawn, separated into components by density, and the white blood cells are collected, while the remaining blood is returned to the individual. Leukapheresis is used therapeutically to quickly lower dangerously high white blood cell counts in conditions such as leukemia, to collect immune cells for transplantation or research, and sometimes to collect specialized cells for advanced therapies (such as CAR T-cell therapy)[2][5][7]. While generally safe, the procedure can cause side effects due to the removal process, anticoagulants, or venous/vascular access. Important note: “White blood cell removal from donor product” is not a molecular target (such as a receptor, transporter, ion channel, or enzyme), but rather a clinical procedure. Thus, labeling this as a "target" is incorrect[4][5][7].

Other names

White blood cell removalLeukocytapheresisWhite blood cell apheresis

Physical removal of white blood cells via centrifugal separation