The effect of aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy on microcomedones and macrocomedones.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for acne. However, the effect of ALA PDT on comedo formation has never been objectively evaluated. Cyanoacrylate follicular biopsy (CFB), a noninvasive procedure, has been proposed as the most reliable tool for studying follicular casts.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the possible effect of ALA and red light (550-700 nm) on macro- and microcomedones in acne patients.


METHODS
10 patients with mild-to-moderate facial and/or chest/back acne resistant to conventional therapies received ALA PDT at 2-week intervals in 3 sessions. The severity of acne had been estimated by a system of points, the Global Acne Grading System. The patients underwent PDT utilizing ALA 10% (face) or 15% (back/chest) and red light (15 J/cm(2) each session). CFBs were performed.


RESULTS
Four weeks after their last PDT session, the patients showed an average global score reduction of 50%. CFBs demonstrated a reduction in the total area, the average area and the density of macrocomedones.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained in this study using CFB evaluation demonstrate that ALA PDT exerts an action on the comedogenic phase as well.
Department of Systematic Pathology, Section of Dermatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. gafabbro@unina.it
G
G
Fabbrocini
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S
Cacciapuoti
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V
De Vita
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N
Fardella
F
F
Pastore
G
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Monfrecola
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001415:Back / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid