TY - JOUR
T1 - Lack of selectivity of protoporphyrin IX fluorescence for basal cell carcinoma after topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid
T2 - implications for photodynamic treatment
AU - Tope, Whitney D.
AU - Martin, Alex
AU - Grevelink, Joannes M.
AU - Starr, Jon C.
AU - Fewkes, Jessica L.
AU - Flotte, Thomas J.
AU - Deutsch, Thomas F.
AU - Anderson, R. Rox
PY - 1995/9
Y1 - 1995/9
N2 - Clinical trials of topical ALA in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) show significant recurrence rates. Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is converted by intracellular enzymes to photoactive protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in human tissues. PpIX generates cytotoxic singlet oxygen when irradiated with visible light in the 400-640 nm range. To evaluate variability and heterogeneity in PpIX production by tumors in such trials, and to assess the usefulness of PpIX for marking skin tumors, we measured PpIX fluorescence distribution in BCC after topical application of 20% ALA cream. ALA cream was applied under occlusion for periods ranging from 3 to 18 h (average 6.9 h, SD 4 h) to 16 BCCs. ALA conversion to PpIX in the BCCs was assessed by in vivo photography, ex vivo video fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. External macroscopic PpIX fluorescence, as assessed by in vivo and ex vivo imaging, correlated with the clinical presence of BCC. Examination by a digital imaging fluorescence microscope revealed inter- and intratumor fluorescence variability and heterogeneity. PpIX fluorescence corresponding to full tomor thickness was found in six superficial and four nodular tumors, and partial-thickness fluorescence was observed in five nodular tumors, but no PpIX fluorescence was observed in some areas of superficial, nodular and infiltrating tumors. In a significant number of nodular and infiltrating BCCs, topical ALA appeared to provide little or no PpIX in deep tumor lobules. In addition, no selectivity for tumor tissue versus normal epidermis was seen. The grossly brighter external PpIX fluorescence over tumors may be due, therefore, to enhanced penetration through tumor-reactive stratum corneum and to the tumor thickness. The absence of reproducible fluorescence marking of nodular and infiltrating BCC suggests that topical ALA, at least under the present delivery protocols, may not be a reliable regimen for photodynamic treatment of these BCCs.
AB - Clinical trials of topical ALA in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) show significant recurrence rates. Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is converted by intracellular enzymes to photoactive protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in human tissues. PpIX generates cytotoxic singlet oxygen when irradiated with visible light in the 400-640 nm range. To evaluate variability and heterogeneity in PpIX production by tumors in such trials, and to assess the usefulness of PpIX for marking skin tumors, we measured PpIX fluorescence distribution in BCC after topical application of 20% ALA cream. ALA cream was applied under occlusion for periods ranging from 3 to 18 h (average 6.9 h, SD 4 h) to 16 BCCs. ALA conversion to PpIX in the BCCs was assessed by in vivo photography, ex vivo video fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. External macroscopic PpIX fluorescence, as assessed by in vivo and ex vivo imaging, correlated with the clinical presence of BCC. Examination by a digital imaging fluorescence microscope revealed inter- and intratumor fluorescence variability and heterogeneity. PpIX fluorescence corresponding to full tomor thickness was found in six superficial and four nodular tumors, and partial-thickness fluorescence was observed in five nodular tumors, but no PpIX fluorescence was observed in some areas of superficial, nodular and infiltrating tumors. In a significant number of nodular and infiltrating BCCs, topical ALA appeared to provide little or no PpIX in deep tumor lobules. In addition, no selectivity for tumor tissue versus normal epidermis was seen. The grossly brighter external PpIX fluorescence over tumors may be due, therefore, to enhanced penetration through tumor-reactive stratum corneum and to the tumor thickness. The absence of reproducible fluorescence marking of nodular and infiltrating BCC suggests that topical ALA, at least under the present delivery protocols, may not be a reliable regimen for photodynamic treatment of these BCCs.
KW - Aminolevulinic acid
KW - Basal cell carcinoma
KW - Photodynamic therapy
KW - Protoporphyrin IX
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0029121605&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0029121605&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/BF00371740
DO - 10.1007/BF00371740
M3 - Article
C2 - 8534131
AN - SCOPUS:0029121605
SN - 0340-3696
VL - 287
SP - 665
EP - 674
JO - Archives of Dermatological Research
JF - Archives of Dermatological Research
IS - 7
ER -