New photosensitizers versus aminolevulinic acid (ala) in experimental photodynamic therapy of actinic keratosis – A case report

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly being recognized as an attractive, alternative treatment modality
for superficial cancer, being an emerging method for local destruction of tissue by generating toxic oxygen species using
light absorbed by an administered or an endogenously generated photosensitizer (porphyrins, phthalocyanines, khellin,
hypericin, riboflavin). A considerable number of PDT research over the past ten years has been devoted to the
development of new sensitizers. The development of new photosensitizers for localization and treatment of tumors is a
research area or current interest. The data show that, when properly used, PDT is an effective alternative treatment option
in oncology. This paper will present a case study of actinic keratosis treated with aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and 5, 10,
15, 20 - tetra (4-sulfophenyl) porphyrin (TSPP) in a photodynamic therapy approach. The clinical data proved the
efficacy and safety of the method and the new drug. From skin biopsies we have obtained lower absolute number of
keratinocytes compared to control skin. The in vitro tests showed cells having lower viability, lower proliferation
capacity, and high apoptosis/necrosis percentages; therefore after applying PDT we have obtained an active destruction of
the cells