New aspects in photodynamic therapy of actinic keratoses.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or its methyl ester (MAL) is a very effective method to treat actinic keratosis (AK). New developments will contribute to optimization of this treatment modality. This will partly be based on a better understanding of the nature of AKs. Since pain during treatment is a frequent side effect of PDT, new methods of alleviating pain are of high interest, especially when large areas are treated. A better understanding of the underlying mechanism of specific protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) accumulation can lead to further increase the response rates. New formulations might contribute to a wider acceptance of the treatment, for example a self-adhesive patch containing 5-ALA, promises easy handling, while maintaining high efficacy. New concepts in illumination, such as ambulatory PDT or daylight illumination might contribute to the further acceptance of this method.
Smits
Tim
T
Department of Dermatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Moor
Anne C E
AC
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011524:Protoporphyrins; C114767:delta-aminolevulinic acid methyl ester; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; C028025:protoporphyrin IX