title: Methyl aminolevulinate-PDT for actinic keratoses and superficial nonmelanoma skin cancers.
abstract: Methyl aminolevulinate-hydrochloride cream (Metvix [in Canada] and Metvixia [in the US], Galderma) in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) provides an effective treatment option for actinic keratoses (AKs), superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), and Bowen's disease (BD). Good clinical outcomes have been reported in the literature. Complete responses (CRs) in AK range from 69% to 93% at 3 months. In sBCC, reported CR rates were from 85% to 93% at 3 months and almost on par with cryosurgery at 60 months (75% vs. 74%). In BD, CR rates were 93% at 3 months and 68% at 2 years. Current evidence has shown that this noninvasive treatment is superior in terms of cosmetic outcome to other management strategies such as surgery. It also offers the advantages of relative simplicity, low risk of side-effects and decreased complications due to scar formation.
authors.affiliation: Photomedicine Institute, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, BC Cancer Agency, and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Policarpio
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lui
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid