Topical Photodynamic Therapy with Methyl-aminolevulinic Acid for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis.
- Author:
Hyun Sun PARK
1
;
Seon Pil JIN
;
Kwang Hyun CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. khcho@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Actinic keratosis;
Methyl 5-aminolevulinic acid;
Photodynamic therapy
- MeSH:
Actins;
Aminolevulinic Acid;
Biopsy;
Cell Death;
Cosmetics;
Humans;
Keratosis, Actinic;
Korea;
Light;
Medical Records;
Oxygen;
Photochemotherapy;
Photosensitizing Agents;
Retrospective Studies;
Skin
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2010;48(10):837-843
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality involving the use of a photosensitizer, oxygen and a light source to induce selective targeted cell death. It is used for various skin conditions, including actinic keratosis (AK). Both 5-aminolevulinic acid and methyl aminolevulinic acid (MAL) are currently available as photosensitizers. Although there are several studies on the treatment of AK using 5-aminolevulinic acid-PDT in Korea, there are few studies on using MAL-PDT for the treatment of AK. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MAL-PDT for the treatment of AK. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study and reviewed 64 AK lesions from 28 patients who were treated by MAL-PDT between January 2008 and April 2010. The data was collected through the medical records, the clinical photographs and the biopsy specimens. RESULTS: The patients were treated with either a single treatment or double treatments 1 week apart. The treatment results were assessed after 12 weeks. Overall, complete remission was achieved in 42/64 lesions (65.6%). Although a single treatment was effective for thin lesions, the complete response rates were significantly lower for the moderately thick and severely thick lesions (100% vs 71.3% vs 22.2%, respectively). Repeated treatment tended to improve the complete response rate of the severely thick lesions. A favorable cosmetic outcome was achieved and only tolerable local side effects were reported after MAL-PDT. The patients were followed up for an average period of 6 months and 4 lesions recurred. CONCLUSION: MAL-PDT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for thin and moderately thick AK. However, further study is required for determining the optimal regimen for thicker lesions and the long-term treatment results of MAL-PDT.
