Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Methyl 5-aminolevulinic Acid and Red Light for Actinic Keratosis.
- Author:
Kee Suck SUH
1
;
Jin Woo LEE
;
Young Seung JEON
;
Sang Tae KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. ksderm98@unitel.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Actinic keratosis;
Light-emitting diode;
Methyl 5-aminolevulinic acid;
Photodynamic therapy
- MeSH:
Actins;
Aminoquinolines;
Burns;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Cryotherapy;
Ear;
Electrosurgery;
Erythema;
Fluorouracil;
Humans;
Keratosis, Actinic;
Light;
Neck;
Photochemotherapy;
Scalp;
Sensation;
Skin;
Solar System
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2009;47(6):633-640
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a pre-cancerous skin lesion that has the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, which generally occurs on long-term sun exposed and cosmetically sensitive areas of the face, scalp, ears and neck. Many treatment options such as surgical excision, electrosurgery, cryotherapy, topical therapy including 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod and diclofenacare are available for AK, but these can be inconvenient and unsatisfactory for patients. Recently, the efficacy of topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated in a large number of clinical studies over the last several years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of methyl 5-aminolevulinic acid (MAL) and red light photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of actinic keratosis. METHODS: This study included 21 actinic keratosis lesions in 12 patients. After application of commercially available MAL cream (Metvix(R), Galderma, Hertfordshire, U.K.) under occlusion for 3 hours, the lesions were illuminated by red light from a light-emitting diode system (Aktilite lamp(R), PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway). All patients were followed for 3 months after 2 MAL-PDT sessions. Therapeutic effectivenesswas assessed by clinical and histopathological findings. RESULTS: Complete remission was achieved in 18 of 21 lesions (85.7%). The local adverse effects were erythema, pain, burning sensation and edema. CONCLUSION: This study showed that MAL-PDT using red-light is a safe and effective treatment option for AK.
