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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
Treating cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid polylactic-co-glycolic acid
Xiaojie Wang1, Lei Shi2, Qingfeng Tu2
1Shanghai Skin Diseases Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common skin cancer, and its treatment is still difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoparticle (NP)-assisted 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) delivery for topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cutaneous SCC.
Materials And Methods:
Ultraviolet-induced cutaneous SCCs were established in hairless mice. ALA-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs were prepared and characterized. The kinetics of ALA PLGA NP-induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence in SCCs, therapeutic efficacy of ALA NP-mediated PDT, and immune responses were examined.
Results:
PLGA NPs enhanced protoporphyrin IX production in SCC. ALA PLGA NP-mediated topical PDT was more effective than free ALA of the same concentration in treating cutaneous SCC.
Conclusion:
PLGA NPs provide a promising strategy for delivering ALA in topical PDT of cutaneous SCC.
