Extracorporeal Photopheresis and Low Dose Aldesleukin in Treating Patients With Steroid Refractory Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

This phase II trial studies efficacy of extracorporeal photopheresis and low dose aldesleukin (interleukin-2) in treating patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) that does not respond to upfront treatment with steroids. In graft-vs-host disease, patients have a small quantity of a white blood cell called T regulatory cells or T-reg cells that helps to control the immune system. Extracorporeal photopheresis is a procedure where patient's blood is removed and treated with ultraviolet light and drugs that become active when exposed to light. The treated blood is then returned to the patient and may be effective in increasing T-reg cells in patients with cGVHD. Aldesleukin increases the activity and growth of white blood cells, and it has shown to enhance T-reg cells in patients with cGVHD and may be effective improving GVHD symptoms.