The use of endogenous
protoporphyrin IX generated after administration of 5-aminolaevulinic
acid (ALA) has led to many applications in
photodynamic therapy (
PDT). However, the bioavailability of ALA is limited by its hydrophilic properties and limited cell uptake. A promising approach to optimize the efficacy of ALA-
PDT is to deliver ALA in the form of
prodrugs to mask its hydrophilic nature. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of two ALA
dipeptide derivatives, N-acetyl terminated leucinyl-ALA methyl
ester (Ac-
Leu-ALA-Me) and phenylalanyl-ALA methyl
ester (Ac-
Phe-ALA-Me), for their use in
PDT of
cancer, by investigating the generation of
protoporphyrin IX in an oncogenic cell line (PAM212-Ras), and in a subcutaneous
tumor model. In our in vitro studies, both derivatives were more effective than ALA in
PDT treatment, at inducing the same
protoporphyrin IX levels but at 50- to 100-fold lower concentrations, with the phenylalanyl derivative being the most effective. The efficient release of ALA from Ac-
Phe-ALA-Me appears to be consistent with the reported substrate and inhibitor preferences of
acylpeptide hydrolase. In vivo studies revealed that topical application of the
peptide prodrug Ac-
Phe-ALA-Me gave greater selectivity than with ALA itself, and induced
tumor photodamage, whereas systemic administration improved ALA-induced
porphyrin generation in terms of equivalent doses administered, without induction of toxic effects. Our data support the possibility of using particularly Ac-
Phe-ALA-Me both for topical treatment of
basal cell carcinomas and for systemic administration. Further chemical fine-tuning of this
prodrug template should yield additional compounds for enhanced ALA-
PDT with potential for translation to the clinic.