5-aminolevulinic acid + dimethylsulfoxide

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a metabolic precursor in the heme biosynthetic pathway that acts as a prodrug for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Upon topical application, 5-ALA is absorbed by cells and converted into protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a potent photosensitizer. When the treated tissue is subsequently illuminated with light of a specific wavelength (typically blue or red light), PpIX is excited and reacts with molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen, which cause selective destruction of dysplastic cells. In the specific formulation evaluated by Barretos Cancer Hospital (Hospital de Amor), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is included as a chemical penetration enhancer to increase the permeability of the skin and improve the delivery of 5-ALA into actinic keratosis lesions. This combination therapy has been investigated in Phase 3 clinical trials as an alternative to cryotherapy, aiming to provide comparable efficacy with potentially superior cosmetic outcomes and manageable pain profiles.

Other names

5-ALA + DMSOALA-PDT with DMSO5-aminolevulinic acid with dimethylsulfoxide