Photodynamic therapy with delta-aminolevulinic acid and light-emitting diodes in actinic keratosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Photodynamic therapy is a form of treatment in which a photosensitizing substance is applied to tissue and activated by a light source at a specific wavelength, thus selectively destroying cells. New light sources are being evaluated for use in the treatment of actinic keratoses.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with delta-aminolevulinic acid using a light emitting diode device as a light source in the treatment of actinic keratoses of the face and upper limbs.

METHODS:

Eighteen patients with actinic keratoses of the face or upper limbs received an application of a 20% delta-aminolevulinic acid cream and were submitted to diode light irradiation at a wavelength of 630 nm.

RESULTS:

A total of 328 actinic keratoses were treated, obtaining complete cure in 210 (64.0%) after 24 weeks. Lesions situated on the back of the hands were clinically cured in 49.2% of cases compared to 81.4% in the cases of lesions in other areas. There was no record of any severe adverse effects and patient satisfaction with the results was high.

CONCLUSION:

Photodynamic therapy with a diode light emitting source proved effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of actinic keratoses, with results similar to those reported in the literature with other light sources.

• Authors: Clarice Gabardo Ritter, Isabel Cristina Palma Kuhl, Carolina Lenhardt, Marlene Laks Weissbluth, Renato Marchiori Bakos
• Journal: Anais brasileiros de dermatologia (An Bras Dermatol) 2010 Sep-Oct Vol. 85 Issue 5 Pg. 639-45 ISSN: 1806-4841 [Electronic] Spain
• PMID: 21152788 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Aminolevulinic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aminolevulinic Acid (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Arm
• Facial Dermatoses (drug therapy)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Keratosis, Actinic (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Photochemotherapy (methods)
• Photosensitizing Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome