leukapheresis

Leukapheresis is a medical procedure that removes white blood cells, particularly important cells like lymphocytes, from a person's blood. Blood is drawn from the body, passed through a machine that separates out the white blood cells, and then the remaining blood components are returned to the bloodstream. This process is often used to reduce high white blood cell counts in certain illnesses, or to collect specific immune cells for treatments like immunotherapy. It is generally safe, performed under sterile conditions, and can be repeated if needed.