Lymphocytapheresis--a feasible treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

A short three-treatment out-patient course of lymphocytapheresis (LA) was compared with a standard six-treatment regimen in a group of rheumatoid arthritis patients pre-selected for poor cell-mediated immunity, which has been shown to be associated with a good response to LA. Significant clinical improvements were seen with both treatments. There did not appear to be any clear difference between three and six treatments. A short course of LA may represent a possible treatment for selected rheumatoid arthritis patients.