title: Photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolaevulinic acid for the treatment of dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) is the naturally occurring metabolic precursor of an endogenously formed photosensitiser, protoporphyrin IX. It is used topically to treat benign and malignant skin disorders by a process called photodynamic therapy (PDT). Recently, data are emerging on its systemic use in the treatment of dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of ALA-PDT for the treatment of dysplasia and early cancer in Barrett's oesophagus.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature review and synopsis is given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ALA is an attractive alternative to the currently approved photosensitiser (porfimer sodium) due to its oral route of administration, shorter generalised skin photosensitivity period and lower rate of stricture formation. The studies presented demonstrate that ALA-PDT is both safe and effective for the treatment of dysplasia and early cancer in Barrett's oesophagus.
authors.affiliation: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, National Medical Laser Centre, 67 - 73 Riding House Street, London W1P 7NN, UK.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lovat
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid