Blood plasma purification opens up new therapy options 

The magazine gesunder-koerper.info in an interview with Dr. Anton Ilin, specialist in anesthesiology and senior physician at the Ayus INUSpherese Center Basel, about the treatment procedure of INUSpheresis®, a double membrane filtration and why this can be a real option for MS patients.

INUSpheresis®, colloquially known as "blood washing", is a treatment method based on the recognized apheresis therapy and further developed since 2009, which is used for various chronic diseases.

What can you imagine under this method?

Filtration therapy uses two filters to purify the blood. The first filter separates solid components from the plasma. In the second filter, the plasma is passed through the special TKM 58 membrane. This membrane recognizes pathogenic substances based on differences in weight, size and shape and filters them out.

The effectiveness of filtration depends on the surface area of the membrane as well as the size of the pores, which determine which substances are filtered out and to what extent.

Why is it a real option for MS patients?

INUSpheresis® therapy is promising for MS patients because it effectively filters out known factors such as inflammatory mediators, antibodies and proinflammatory cytokines. It also reduces circulating immune complexes that can trigger degenerative processes.

The therapy also reduces toxic substances, optimizes microcirculation and improves oxygen supply to slow degenerative damage. Optionally, specific drugs can be incorporated into the bloodstream of MS patients during therapy.

How does the treatment work and when do I see success?

The INUSpheresis® therapy is gentle and painless. Two infusion lines are placed in the crook of the arm and the blood passes through a disposable filter system that filters it completely once. It is not a plasma exchange and no electrolytes or immune bodies are lost. No supply of replacement solutions is required.

The duration varies depending on the volume and type of treatment, but can usually be completed after 2 to 2½ hours. Drug follow-up depends on the patient's individual situation.