Methyl aminolevulinate explained

Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is a drug used as a sensitizer in photodynamic therapy. It is a prodrug that is metabolized to protoporphyrin IX. 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 has bought all rights to Metvix.^[1]

Approvals and indications

Methyl aminolevulinate is approved in New Zealand for treatment of basal cell carcinoma.^[2]

It is now approved in many countries and has been used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer (including basal cell carcinoma).^[3]

It has some advantages over Levulan.^[4]

It has been reported as controversial in some quarters, with severe pain allegedly being experienced by some patients. ^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Photocure Divests Metvix to Galderma for EUR 51 Million . 2010-09-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110207120321/http://photocure.com/NEWS/newcontainer/Photocure-divests-Metvix-to-Galderma-for-EUR-51-million/ . 2011-02-07 .
2. Web site: Ngan V . 2003 . Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL PDT) . DermNet NZ .
3. Web site: New 5 Year Metvix-PDT Data Demonstrate Long-Term Efficacy & Reliability For NM Skin Cancer Treatment . 2006 . EurekAlert! .
4. O'Connor AE, Gallagher WM, Byrne AT . Porphyrin and nonporphyrin photosensitizers in oncology: preclinical and clinical advances in photodynamic therapy . Photochemistry and Photobiology . 85 . 5 . 1053–74 . 2009 . 19682322 . 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2009.00585.x . 205950773 . free .
5. Web site: Concerns raised over ALA skin cancer cream as patients recount 'horrendous' pain . 16 November 2013 . Australian Broadcasting Corporation .