A process for removing Sr.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A process for removing Hg.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with a titanium metallate ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The titanium metallate ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mTiNb.sub.aSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

A composition is provided with the combination of the titanium metallate ion exchanger and bodily fluids or dialysis solutions. Also, provided is an apparatus comprising a matrix and the titanium metallate ion exchanger.

The presently disclosed subject-matter provides specific compositions, conjugates, device, kits and systems for depleting fibrinolytic agents from biological fluids. The presently disclosed subject-matter further relates to the resulting biological fluid products that are devoid in fibrinolytic activity, therapeutic methods and uses thereof. The conjugates comprise a particle, at least one linker and at least one amino acid, derivative thereof or analog thereof being at least one of 4-(aminomethyl)-cyclo-hexane-carboxylic acid (tranexamic acid), epsilon-amino caproic acid, lysine, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and 4-methyl-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid. A plurality of different conjugates (e.g. differing in particle size or type of linker) can be used.

A system and method for the practice of apheresis employs modules in the system which can be selected for a particular patient to treat particular situations or combinations of difficulties. In one example, Gal-3 mediates a large number of body reactions, and is an effective protector of tumor microenvironments and the like, as well inflammation driver. Removal of Gal-3 may make antic-cancer treatments, like photopheresis and TNF administration more effective. Separate modules, such as one for photopheresis and one for TNF receptor removal, may be combined with a module for the reduction of Gal-3, to render the combination of treatments each more effective than if administered alone.

Provided are a toxin separator and the like which are capable of selectively separating toxin present in a biological fluid by binding to protein, from the toxin and the protein. The toxin separator of the present invention also includes activated carbon of which a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter from 1.4 to 35 nm as measured by a nitrogen adsorption method is 0.06 cm.sup.3/g or greater.

A blood based solute monitoring system for measuring at least one blood solute species that has a first recirculation flow path in fluid communication with a dialyzer. The first recirculation flow path is configured to allow a fluid to recirculate through a dialyzer such that the concentration of at least one solute species in the fluid becomes equilibrated to the solute species concentration of the blood in a blood compartment of the dialyzer. The blood solute monitoring system has at least one sensor to measure a fluid characteristic.

A method and device treats cancer where blood from a cancer patient passes through an array of passageways within an interior of a chamber. The passageways include wells having porous membrane wall portions that enable a molecular-sized activating agent in a carrier fluid that enhances an immune response to pass through these porous wall portions. Pore size is such to allow the molecular-sized activating agent in the interior of the chamber to enter the wells yet prevents immune cells and cancer cells in the wells to pass through the porous wall portions into the interior of the chamber. Blood is retained in the wells so that it remains in contact with the immune cells and cancer cells for a predetermined period sufficient to enhance an immune response. Then the cells with an enhanced immune response are return to the patient.

The present invention provides: a porous fiber that exhibits both improved adsorption capacity, and suppressed exposure and detachment of particulates; an adsorption column filled with said porous fiber; and a blood purification system in which an adsorption column is connected to a water removal column. The porous fiber according to the present invention has a three-dimensional pore structure formed by a solid fiber, and satisfies all of the following conditions. (1) The porous fiber has particulates having a diameter of not more than 200 m, and the percentage of area occupied by said particulates having a diameter of not more than 200 m in a horizontal cross section of the three-dimensional pore structure is at least 3.0%. (2) The porous fiber does not contain said particulates having a diameter of not more than 200 m in the region within 1.0 m in the depth direction from the outermost surface.

A protocol for limiting the severity of allergic reactions, or preventing them entirely, is provided. The central feature of the protocol is the delivery, over a period of no more than an ninety minutes, of an amount of magnesium ranging from 50-500 mg magnesium, measured as elemental magnesium. A wide variety of salts and chelates of magnesium may be used. The magnesium is deliver via IV, at a relatively high rate, of no more than ninety and preferably about thirty minutes. IV bags, prepared for use in this invention, reflecting the instructions for use set forth above, are claimed as well.

An apheresis column for the treatment of mammals to reduce galectin-3 levels is set forth. The column features, as a stationary or adsorbent phase, pectin molecules, which naturally bind gal-3. Modified citrus pectin, having a molecular weight of about 40 kD or less, preferably about 25 kD or less, is a preferred adsorbent. The columns are disposable, and are used in the fashion for apheresis in general. Other targets, particularly including other galectins, as well as toxins, heavy metals and the like may also be withdrawn from the blood or plasma through this method. Gal-3 level reductions of 10%, 30% and even more may be achieved in a single treatment.