Methyl aminolevulinate
Template:Short description Template:Drugbox
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]
References
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