PROSORBA
Protein A Immunoadsorption Column
Therapy for Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

What is the Prosorba Column?
The PROSORBA Column is a medical device, not a drug. The PROSORBA Column is a plastic cylinder about the size of a coffee mug that contains a sand-like substance coated with a special material called protein A. Protein A is unique in that it binds certain elements from your blood called antibodies. Normally, antibodies protect you from disease. However, sometimes your body produces unwanted antibodies that attack your own body tissue, resulting in disease.

What is the PROSORBA Column used for?
The PROSORBA Column is indicated for use in the therapeutic removal of antibodies in patients with ITP whose platelet counts are less than 100,000 mm3. The Prosorba Column is also approved for use in the treatment of some patients with Rhumatoid Arthritis. Both diseases are conditions brought about by an abnormal situation the body's antibody system.

What is involved in a PROSORBA Column Therapy?
During Prosorba Column tour blood Therapy, blood is drawn from a vhroughein in your arm and is then pumped into an aphersis machine or cell separator. This machine separates the liquid part of your blood (the plasma) from the red blood cells. Your plasma passes through the Prosorba Column, through another tubing, and is reunited with your red blood cells and returned to your body through a vein in your other arm. The entire procedure treats 2000 ml of your plasma and takes approximately 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

How often is the Prosorba Column Therapy performed?
How often you receive these treatments is basede on your condition. The recommended treatment course for patients with ITP is six treatments, 2-3 treatments per week for 2 or 3 weeks. Mark will receive this two days and then off one day and the prior Fresenius treatment will be given.

Where is the Prosorba Column Therapy performed?
In Mark's room in the ICU unit.

How will we know the Prosorba Column therapy treatment is working?
Like other therapies, the response to treatment will vary from patient to patient and the doctor will monitor Mark's progress. Not all patients repond to the therapy.