Less Dynamic Photodynamic Therapy

Older people create less protoporphyrin IX during photodynamic therapy than younger people.

Photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses depends upon the formation of the photosensitive chemical protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) resulting from topically applied 5-aminolevulenic acid (ALA) or topically applied methyl aminolevulinic acid (MAL). Is this conversion slower among more elderly subjects? Yes, it is.

These authors conducted an unblinded, randomized, controlled study of the effects of ALA and MAL in 30 healthy volunteers. Half of the subjects were younger than 55 (age range, 18–54; mean age, 30), and half were older (age range, 65–82; mean age, 72). After gently curetting the application fields, investigators applied ALA and MAL to normal skin on identical areas of each forearm. Fields were occluded for 24 hours with dressings impermea…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)