title: Novel patch-based systems for the localised delivery of ALA-esters.
abstract: In photodynamic therapy (PDT) a combination of visible light and a sensitising drug causes the destruction of selected cells. Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) has been widely used in topical PDT for over 15 years. However, ALA does not possess favourable physicochemical properties for skin penetration. Consequently, the clearance rates for difficult to treat lesions, such as nodular basal cell carcinomas are relatively low. For the first time, equimolar concentrations of ALA, methyl-ALA (m-ALA) and hexyl-ALA (h-ALA) have been incorporated into a bioadhesive patch-based system. In vitro penetration studies into excised porcine skin revealed that ALA patches containing relatively high loadings (226.7 micromol cm(-2)) were associated with significantly greater tissue concentrations (70.7 micromol cm(-3)) than patches containing m-ALA (16.3 micromol cm(-3)) or h-ALA (17.4 micromol cm(-3)). ALA was also found to be the most efficient inducer of protoporphyrin (PpIX) fluorescence in mice, in vivo (maximum mean fluorescence: ALA=236.2 a.u., m-ALA=175.1 a.u., h-ALA=193.5 a.u.). However, when the lipophilic hexylester was formulated in a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) patch, significantly higher PpIX levels were achieved compared to all bioadhesive systems tested. Of major importance, PSA patches containing relatively low h-ALA loadings induced high PpIX levels, which were localised to the application area. This study has highlighted the importance of rational selection of both the active agent and the delivery system. Bioadhesive preparations containing ALA are ideal for delivery to moist environments; whereas h-ALA-loaded PSA systems may facilitate enhanced delivery to dry areas of skin. In addition, owing to the relatively low loadings of h-ALA required in PSA patches, the costs of clinical PDT may potentially be reduced.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
authors.forename: Desmond I J
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McCarron
authors.forename: A David
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Woolfson
authors.forename: Petras
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Juzenas
authors.forename: Asta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juzeniene
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iani
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moan
authors.forename: Ryan F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004952:Esters; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013552:Swine; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid