Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
Topical methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy using red light-emitting diode light for treatment of multiple
David Pariser1, Robert Loss, Michael Jarratt
1Eastern Virginia Medical School, Division of Dermatology and Virginia Clinical Research Inc, Norfolk, Virginia 23507, USA. dpariser@pariserderm.com
Background:
The use of light-emitting diode light offers practical advantages in photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) for management of actinic keratoses (AK).
Objective:
We sought to evaluate the efficacy of MAL PDT using red light-emitting diode light.
Methods:
We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study. A total of 49 patients with 363 AK lesions had 16.8% MAL cream applied under occlusion for 3 hours, and 47 patients with 360 AK lesions had vehicle cream similarly applied. The lesions were then illuminated (630 nm, light dose 37 J/cm2) with repeated treatment 1 week later. Complete lesion and patient (all lesions showing complete response) response rates were evaluated 3 months after last treatment.
Results:
MAL PDT was superior (P<.0001) to vehicle PDT with respect to lesion complete response (86.2% vs 52.2%, odds ratio 6.9 [95% confidence interval 4.7-10.3]) and patient complete response (59.2% vs 14.9%, odds ratio 13.2 [95% confidence interval 4.1-43.1]).
Limitations:
The study population may not be representative of all patients with AK.
Conclusion:
MAL PDT using red light-emitting diode light is an appropriate treatment alternative for multiple AK lesions.
