title: Photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate for primary nodular basal cell carcinoma: results of two randomized studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data suggest that photodynamic therapy using topical methyl aminolevulinate (MAL PDT) may be a noninvasive alternative to excisional surgery for nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In the studies described here, we investigated the histologic response, tolerability, and cosmetic outcome with MAL PDT for primary nodular BCC (<or= 5 mm in depth).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two multicenter, randomized, double-blind studies with similar design and procedures were conducted. After surface debridement and minor tumor debulking, MAL cream 160 mg/g (66 patients with 75 lesions) or placebo cream (65 patients with 75 lesions) was applied for 3 h, followed by illumination with broad-spectrum red light (75 J/cm(2), 570-670 nm). This was repeated 7 days later. Lesions with a partial response (>or= 50% reduction in greatest diameter) at 3 months were re-treated (21%). Treatment sites were excised at 3 months (clinical nonresponders) or 6 months (clinical responders) after the last treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologically verified lesion complete response rates were higher with MAL PDT than with placebo [73% (55/75) vs. 27% (20/75)]. Treatment was most effective for facial lesions (89% complete response). Cosmetic outcome was good or excellent in 98% of evaluable, completely responding lesions treated with MAL PDT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although longer follow-up studies are required, these promising data indicate the potential of topical MAL PDT as a noninvasive treatment alternative for nodular BCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Dermatology), The University of Melbourne, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. peter.foley@svhm.org.au
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menter
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siller
authors.forename: Rokea A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: El-Azhary
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gebauer
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Jarratt
authors.forename: Dedee F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Murrell
authors.forename: Phoebe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Pariser
authors.forename: Allan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Oseroff
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barnetson
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kossard
authors.forename: Lawrence E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Whitney D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Tope
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid