title: Topical methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy using red light-emitting diode light for multiple actinic keratoses: a randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for actinic keratoses (AKs). Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer practical advantages when treating multiple lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PDT using a LED and topical methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) for treatment of multiple AKs.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-one patients with four to 10 non-pigmented, previously untreated thin or moderately thick AKs on the face or scalp were enrolled in this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. MAL or matching placebo cream was applied to the débrided lesion surface for 3 hours before illumination with noncoherent red light (630 nm, light dose 37 J/cm(2)). Treatment was repeated 1 week later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Efficacy was evaluated in 57 patients with 418 lesions treated with MAL PDT and 58 with 414 lesions treated with placebo PDT. Sixteen patients were excluded as protocol violators (not randomized). MAL PDT was superior (p< .001) to placebo PDT in lesion complete response rates (83.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=79.3-86.7%, vs 28.7%, 95% CI=24.4-33.4%) and patient complete response rates (all lesions showing complete response; 68.4%, 95% CI=54.8-80.1% vs 6.9%, 95% CI=1.9-16.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical MAL PDT using a LED is an effective treatment for multiple AKs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. Rolf-Markus.Szeimies@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: Rolf-Markus
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Szeimies
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Ashish C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Frambach
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klövekorn
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fesq
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berking
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reifenberger
authors.forename: Diamant
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thaçi
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid