title: A critical reappraisal of off-label indications for topical photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid and methylaminolevulinate.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methylaminolevulinate (MAL) has demonstrated high efficacy, minimal side effects, and improved cosmetic outcome in the treatment of its EU-approved clinical indications, i.e. actinic keratoses (AKs), basal cell carcinoma, and Bowen's disease. In addition, PDT with MAL or 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is approved in the US for the treatment of AK. However, besides anti-tumoral activity, PDT has also demonstrated various anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects as well as those on the metabolism of connective tissue, keratinization of normal keratinocytes and maturation processes of sebaceous glands and hair follicles. These findings have expanded the spectrum of possible applications of PDT that now encompasses infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal) disorders, epidermal and dermal inflammatory diseases, tumors of lymphocytes, adnexal diseases and premature skin aging due to sun exposure. However, the findings obtained so far must be considered in most off-label indications only preliminary and more detailed studies are required to clarify the role of PDT beyond the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer. In addition, possible advantages over standard treatments remain to be clarified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedale Civile, I-25123 Brescia, Italy. calzavar@med.unibs.it
authors.forename: Piergiacomo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calzavara-Pinton
authors.forename: Calzavara-Pinton
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Piergiacomo
authors.forename: Mariachiara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arisi
authors.forename: Arisi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mariachiara
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sereni
authors.forename: Sereni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elena
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ortel
authors.forename: Ortel
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bernhard
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid