0.5% Liposome-encapsulated 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy for acne treatment.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy using topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been successful in treating acne vulgaris, but sun avoidance for at least 48 hours after treatment is necessary due to the risk of post-treatment photosensitivity. Recently, a lower concentration of liposome-encapsulated 5-ALA was introduced to minimize this risk.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of liposome-encapsulated 0.5% 5-ALA in the photodynamic therapy of inflammatory acne and its effects on sebum secretion in Asian skin.


METHODS
Thirteen Korean subjects with inflammatory acne were administered 0.5% ALA spray before photoradiation treatment. Photoradiation was performed at 3.5-6.0 J/cm(2) three times during each of two visits, performed 2 weeks apart. Improvement of acne was evaluated subjectively and objectively based on the Korean Acne Grading System. Sebum secretion was measured quantitatively at each visit.


RESULTS
The mean reduction in acne grade at the end of the treatment was 43.2%. Of the patients, 69.2% reported improvements in subjective skin oiliness, but fewer showed objective reductions in sebum secretion as determined by the Sebumeter® SM10. No serious adverse events were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Photodynamic therapy using liposome-encapsulated 0.5% 5-ALA improved inflammatory acne with minimal side effects in Asians.
Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Poongnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Jee-Soo
JS
An
Jeong-Eun
JE
Kim
Dong-Hun
DH
Lee
Byung-Yoon
BY
Kim
Soyun
S
Cho
In-Ho
IH
Kwon
Won-Woo
WW
Choi
Seong-Min
SM
Kang
Chong-Hyun
CH
Won
Sung-Eun
SE
Chang
Mi-Woo
MW
Lee
Jee-Ho
JH
Choi
Kee-Chan
KC
Moon
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D008081:Liposomes; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid