Aminolevulinic acid

DB00855ApprovedInvestigationalSmall moleculeOptical Imaging Agent Porphyrin Precursor Roentgenography

Aminolevulinic acid is a porphyrin precursor used to treat actinic keratosis of the face, scalp, and upper extremities, as well as to visualize a glioma. A compound produced from succinyl-CoA and glycine as an intermediate in heme synthesis.

Mechanism: According to the presumed mechanism of action, photosensitization following application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) topical solution occurs through the metabolic conversion of ALA to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), which accumulates in the skin to which aminolevulinic acid has been applied. When exposed to light of appropriate wavelength and energy, the accumulated PpIX produces a photodynamic reaction, a cytotoxic process dependent upon the simultaneous presence of light and oxygen. The absorption of light results in an excited state of the porphyrin molecule, and subsequent spin transfer from PpIX to molecular oxygen generates singlet oxygen, which can further react to form superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Photosensitization of actinic (solar) keratosis lesions using aminolevulinic acid, plus illumination with the BLU-UTM Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator (BLU-U), is the basis for aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Curator reviewed
Primary indication: As a topical gel, aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is indicated for lesion-directed and field-directed treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) of mild-to-moderate severity on the face and scalp in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using BF-RhodoLED® lamp,...Curator reviewed · 10 structured indications
Formula / weight: C₅H₉NO₃ · 131.1299 g/mol (avg)
First approval: Canada, 2020 · United States, 2000 · European Union, 2016
Also known as: 5-ALA · 5-Aminolevulinic acid · 5ALA · Amino-levulinic acid · dALA
Code names: EINECS 226-679-5 · NSC 18509 · SONALA-001
Brand names: Ameluz
Gliolan
Levulan