title: Single low-dose red light is as efficacious as methyl-aminolevulinate--photodynamic therapy for treatment of acne: clinical assessment and fluorescence monitoring.
abstract: This controlled study investigated single low-dose red light photodynamic therapy and methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) for treatment of moderate to severe facial acne in 19 patients. The right cheek was treated with MAL (160 mg/g) for 3 h prior to illumination. The left cheek received red light only. Both cheeks were illuminated with narrow-band red light (635 nm) at a light dose of 15 J/cm2. The global severity of acne was assessed at baseline and at follow-up, 10 and 20 weeks after treatment. Fluorescence images, clinical photographs and skin surface biopsies were obtained. Both MAL-photodynamic therapy and control areas showed a significant decrease in acne score at follow-up; no significant difference was found compared with control. MAL-photodynamic therapy was associated with adverse effects such as erythema and stinging. Fluorescence images revealed poor selectivity of MAL-induced fluorescence to the acne lesions, suggesting a general photoablating mechanism rather than selective destruction of sebaceous glands. No significant reduction in Propionibacterium acnes or sebum excretion was found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hopsital 413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. camilla.s.horfelt@vgregion.se
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hörfelt
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stenquist
authors.forename: Christina B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Halldin
authors.forename: Marica B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ericson
authors.forename: Ann-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wennberg
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012629:Sebum; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid