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UVADEX® (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution is indicated for extracorporeal administration with the THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis System in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) that is unresponsive to other forms of treatment.

THERAKOS® Photopheresis

Photopheresis

What Is THERAKOS Photopheresis?

The THERAKOS® Photopheresis System is an immunomodulatory therapy that uses extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) to help enhance immunologic response.* THERAKOS Photopheresis was first approved by the FDA in 1987 for the palliative treatment of CTCL skin symptoms in patients who were not responsive to other types of treatment.1,2

Since launch over 35 years ago, there have been over 1.3 million THERAKOS Photopheresis treatments performed (worldwide).3 THERAKOS Photopheresis is now available in approximately 170 treatment centers across the United States. Treatment centers are independent, third-party facilities not owned, operated, or controlled by Therakos LLC.

*While the exact mechanism of action continues to be investigated, THERAKOS® Photopheresis exhibits anticlonal cytotoxic characteristics in the treatment of CTCL skin manifestations and enhances the immunologic response to skin manifestations of the disease.1

THERAKOS CELLEX® Photopheresis System Proposed Mechanism of Action

The exact mechanism of action of methoxsalen is not known.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) induces cell death in treated cells, which in turn initiates a cascade of immunomodulatory activities involving regulation of important immune cells and cytokines1,9,15-19

While the exact mechanism of action continues to be investigated, THERAKOS® Photopheresis exhibits anticlonal cytotoxic characteristics in the treatment of CTCL skin manifestations and enhances the immunologic response to skin manifestations of the disease20,21

  • THERAKOS Photopheresis may induce an immunomodulatory effect against CTCL skin manifestations
  • ECP inhibits DNA synthesis and cell division, inducing cell death in treated leukocytes, including CTCL cells1,22,23

Examine the real-world experience in CTCL

A Systemic Treatment Option

Skin symptoms of mycosis fungoides, the most common subtype of CTCL, typically have a long, indolent course.24,25 Patients may experience a long series of different treatments.

Treatment decisions can incorporate the disease stage, overall prognosis, patient quality of life, and most bothersome symptoms, as well as treatment history and patient preference.15

Some systemic treatment options for CTCL skin manifestations25:

Ecp Icon

ECP

Chemotherapy Icon

Chemotherapy

Retinoids Icon

Retinoids

Interferons Icon

Interferons

When it’s time for systemic therapy, consider one that makes sense for patients in the middle of a long series of possible treatments.26,27

SEE THE CLINICAL EFFICACY OF ECP

References

1. UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution (prescribing information). Therakos LLC. 2. Food and Drug Administration. Premarket approval: UVAR Photopheresis System. Accessed May 21, 2025. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P860003 3. Data on file. Ref-07615. Therakos LLC. 4. THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis System Operator’s Manual. 1470493_Rev06_EN-US. Therakos LLC; 2020. 5. Cho A, et al. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2023;21(11):1369-80. 6. Smith S, et al. Analyst. 2010;135(5):943-52. 7.Gasparro FP, et al. Yale J Biol Med. 1985;58(6):519-34. 8. Bladon J, et al. Br J Haematol. 1999;107(4):707-11. 9. Tatsuno K, et al. Cell Death Dis. 2019;10(8):578. 10. Berger C, et al. Int J Cancer. 2001;91(4):438-47. 11. Akilov OE. Cells. 2023;12(18):2321. 12. Bladon J, Taylor PC. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2005;2(2):119-27. 13. Shiue LH, et al. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2015;31(4):184-94. 14. Quaglino P, et al. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009;22(2):353-62. 15. Knobler R, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(12):2693-2716. 16. Hart JW, et al. Ther Adv Hematol. 2013;4:320-34. 17. Craciun LI, et al. Transplantation. 2002;74(7):995-1000. 18. Marshall SR. Nat Clin Pract Oncol. 2006;3(6):302-14. 19. Morelli AE, et al. Blood. 2003;101(2):611-20. 20. Vieyra-Garcia PA, Wolf P. Tranfus Med Hemother. 2020;47(3):226-35. 21. Shiue LH, et al. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;133(8):2098-2100. 22. Yoo EK, et al. J Invest Dermatol. 1996;107(2):235-42. 23. Gerber A, et al. Dermatology. 2000;201(2):111-17. 24. Hwang ST, et al. Lancet. 2008;371(9616):945-57. 25. Caffieri S, et al. Blood. 2007;109(11):4988-94. 26. Scarisbrick JJ, et al. Br J Haematol. 2021;192(4):683-96. 27. Prince HM, et al. Blood. 2009;114(20):4337-53.

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THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System

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Prescribing ECP

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Clinical Profile

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INDICATIONS AND USAGE

UVADEX® (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution is indicated for extracorporeal administration with the THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis System in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) that is unresponsive to other forms of treatment.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CAUTION: READ THE THERAKOS® CELLEX® PHOTOPHERESIS SYSTEM’S OPERATOR’S MANUAL PRIOR TO PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING THIS MEDICATION.

UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution should be used only by physicians who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and who have special training and experience in the THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System. Please consult the CELLEX Operator's Manual before using this product.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

UVADEX is contraindicated in:

  • Patients exhibiting idiosyncratic or hypersensitivity reactions to methoxsalen, other psoralen compounds, or any of the excipients
  • Patients possessing a specific history of a light-sensitive disease state, including lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism
  • Patients with aphakia because of significantly increased risk of retinal damage
  • Patients that have contraindications to the photopheresis procedure

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Patients who are receiving concomitant therapy (either topically or systemically) with known photosensitizing agents such as anthralin, coal tar or coal tar derivatives, griseofulvin, phenothiazines, nalidixic acid, halogenated salicylanilides (bacteriostatic soaps), sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazides, and certain organic staining dyes such as methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, and methyl orange may be at greater risk for photosensitivity reactions with UVADEX
  • Oral administration of methoxsalen followed by cutaneous UVA exposure (PUVA therapy) is carcinogenic. Methoxsalen also causes DNA damage, interstrand cross-links and errors in DNA repair
  • Methoxsalen may cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant.  If UVADEX is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving UVADEX, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus 
  • Severe photosensitivity can occur in patients treated with UVADEX. Advise patients to wear UVA absorbing, wrap-around sunglasses and cover exposed skin or use a sunblock (SPF 15 or higher), and avoid all exposure to sunlight for twenty-four (24) hours following photopheresis treatment
  • After methoxsalen administration, exposure to sunlight and/or ultraviolet radiation may result in "premature aging" of the skin
  • Since oral psoralens may increase the risk of skin cancers, monitor closely those patients who exhibit multiple basal cell carcinomas or who have a history of basal cell carcinomas
  • Serious burns from either UVA or sunlight (even through window glass) can result if the recommended dosage of methoxsalen is exceeded or precautions are not followed
  • Exposure to large doses of UVA light causes cataracts in animals. Oral methoxsalen exacerbates this toxicity
  • Safety in children has not been established
  • Thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, have been reported with UVADEX administration through photopheresis systems for treatment of patients with graft-versus-host disease, a disease for which UVADEX is not approved

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Side effects of photopheresis (UVADEX used with the THERAKOS Photopheresis Systems) were primarily related to hypotension secondary to changes in extracorporeal volume (>1%)

For the THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis Procedure:
INDICATIONS
The THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System is indicated for use in the ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation, in the presence of the photoactive drug 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), of extracorporeally circulating leukocyte-enriched blood, in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), in persons who have not been responsive to other forms of treatment.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System is not designated, sold, or intended for use except as indicated.

Certain underlying medical conditions contraindicate THERAKOS Photopheresis, including patients:

  • who cannot tolerate extracorporeal volume loss during the leukocyte-enrichment phase
  • exhibiting idiosyncratic or hypersensitivity reactions to 8-methoxypsoralen/psoralen compounds
  • with coagulation disorders
  • who have had previous splenectomy

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • THERAKOS Photopheresis treatments should always be performed in locations where standard medical emergency equipment is available. Volume replacement fluids and/or volume expanders should be readily available throughout the procedure
  • Patients who may not be able to tolerate the fluid changes associated with extracorporeal photopheresis should be monitored carefully
  • Procedures, such as renal dialysis, which might cause significant fluid changes (and expose the patient to additional anticoagulation) should not be performed on the same day as extracorporeal photopheresis
  • Individual patients may require a heparin dosage that varies from the recommended dose to prevent post-treatment bleeding or clotting during a treatment

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Hypotension may occur during any treatment involving extracorporeal circulation. Closely monitor the patient during the entire treatment for hypotension
  • Transient pyretic reactions, 37.7-38.9°C (100-102°F), have been observed in some patients within six to eight hours of reinfusion of the photoactivated leukocyte-enriched blood. A temporary increase in erythroderma may accompany the pyretic reaction
  • Treatment frequency exceeding labeling recommendations may result in anemia
  • Venous access carries a small risk of infection and pain

Please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information, including the BOXED WARNING for UVADEX, and see the THERAKOS Photopheresis System Operator’s Manual.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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CAUTION: READ THE THERAKOS® CELLEX® PHOTOPHERESIS SYSTEM’S OPERATOR’S MANUAL PRIOR TO PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING THIS MEDICATION.

UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution should be used only by physicians who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and who have special training and experience in the THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System. Please consult the CELLEX Operator's Manual before using this product.

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