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Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is a drug used as a sensitizer in
Methyl aminolevulinate is approved in New Zealand for treatment of
photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a form of phototherapy involving light and a photosensitizing chemical substance used in conjunction with molecular oxygen to elicit cell death ( phototoxicity).
PDT is used in treating acne, wet age-related macula ...
. It is a prodrug
A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be ...
that is metabolized to protoporphyrin IX
Protoporphyrin IX is an organic compound, classified as a porphyrin, that plays an important role in living organisms as a precursor to other critical compounds like heme (hemoglobin) and chlorophyll. It is a deeply colored solid that is not sol ...
. It is marketed as Metvix.
Metvix cream is applied topically and some time later the skin is illuminated with a proprietary red light (630 nm) source (medical lamp 'Aktilite') to activate the photosensitiser.
Metvix is developed by Photocure and Galderma
Galderma SA is an American-Swiss pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatological treatments and skin care products. Formerly a subsidiary of L'Oréal and Nestlé, it was acquired by a consortium of private institutional investors in 20 ...
has bought all rights to Metvix.
Approvals and indications
Methyl aminolevulinate is approved in New Zealand for treatment of basal cell carcinoma
Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as basal-cell cancer, basalioma, or rodent ulcer, is the most common type of skin cancer. It often appears as a painless, raised area of skin, which may be shiny with Telangiectasia, small blood vessels ru ...
.
It is now approved in many countries and has been used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer
Skin cancers are cancers that arise from the Human skin, skin. They are due to the development of abnormal cells (biology), cells that have the ability to invade or metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. It occurs when skin cells grow ...
(including basal cell carcinoma
Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as basal-cell cancer, basalioma, or rodent ulcer, is the most common type of skin cancer. It often appears as a painless, raised area of skin, which may be shiny with Telangiectasia, small blood vessels ru ...
).
It has some advantages over Levulan.
It has been reported as controversial in some quarters, with severe pain allegedly being experienced by some patients.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Methyl Aminolevulinate Prodrugs Antineoplastic drugs Methyl esters Ketoesters