Photodynamic Therapy of Superficial Basal Cell Carcinomas Using Topical 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in a Nanocolloid Lotion

Abstract

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of superficial basal cell carcinomas using endogenous protoporphyrin IX generated by topically applied 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is an innovative and clinically encouraging approach. Objective: This paper reports on the first results of an ongoing clinical study on photodynamic therapy of 55 basal cell carcinomas in 19 patients. Methods: Because of the chemical instability of 5-ALA, a novel nanocolloid lotion was developed. This formulation was applied to the lesions under occlusive dressing 6 h before irradiation with visible light from an unfiltered halogen lamp. Light-induced fluorescence was used to ascertain the superficial extension of the tumors. The response to the therapy was assessed by visual inspection and in 13 patients also by biopsies. Results: After a single treatment, 47 (85%) basal cell carcinomas showed a complete response at a follow-up time of at least 6 months. For the remaining 8 (15%) lesions, a partial response was observed, indicated by a marked reduction of the tumor size. The treatment modality without local anesthetics was well tolerated by all patients, with only slight discomfort during light irradiation. Conclusion: Our results indicate that 5-ALA-PDT with our novel formulation, a nanocolloid lotion, is a highly effective and convenient therapy for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcionomas. Its use in the treatment of nodular tumors needs further investigations.

Novel Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Photoinactivation of In Situ Oral Biofilms by Visible Light plus Water-Filtered Infrared A

“…After the radiation passes through a water filter, which absorbs or decreases harmful infrared B and C radiation, the remaining infrared A can deeply penetrate the target tissues with a low thermal load (28). To date, therapy with VIS ϩ wIRA has been mainly utilized in dermatology for the treatment of superficial skin tumors, wound healing, and pain alleviation (29,30). The extension of its application in the microbiological field, i.e., for postoperative infection defense, or photoinactivation of oral pathogenic microorganisms, can be attributed to the advanced antimicrobial properties of VIS ϩ wIRA (20).…”

Topical calcitriol prior to photodynamic therapy enhances treatment efficacy in non-melanoma skin cancer mouse models

“…The energy transferred from a light-activated photosensitizer to oxygen molecules results in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are responsible for cell death 4–6 . PDT with ALA using blue light (400–450 nm) 7,8 and red light (~630 nm) 9–12 sources has been reported as an effective treatment modality in curing superficial and nodular BCCs. However, due to the incomplete treatment response and recurrence of tumors, conventional ALA-PDT in the treatment of BCC is not considered as superior to current standard medical therapies 3 .…”

5-aminolevulinic acid-incorporated nanoparticles of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-chitosan copolymer for photodynamic therapy

“…[1][2][3]6,12,13,17,[29][30][31][32] Since PDTs based on 5-ALA cause minimal unwanted side effects, and because photosensitizers are only activated under light irradiation of specific wavelengths, 5-ALA is increasingly used in malignant and nonmalignant disease.…”

“…[14][15][16] Drug delivery strategies using colloidal drug carriers such as polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes have also been studied for their enhancement of 5-ALA cellular uptake. [17][18][19][20] Among them, nanoscopic vehicles such as polymeric micelles and nanoparticles have been investigated as ideal carriers for drugs, including photosensitizers. [20][21][22] Nanoparticles are regarded as ideal vehicles for targeting solid tumors, because of their favorable biodistribution, excellent bioavailability, and reduction of the intrinsic toxicity of the drugs.…”