Comparison of Efficacy between the Two Photosensitizers in the Photodynamic Therapy of Cutaneous Tumours

Overview

Objective:
Comparison of efficacy of the 20% hydrochloride 5-aminolevulic acid photosensitizer and a potential sensitizer hypericin in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cutaneous tumours.

Methods:
The group of 41 patients with diagnosis of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and Bowen disease was studied. They were divided in two groups according to the photosensitizer used. The PDT radiation dose was 75 J/ cm². The mean number of treatments was 6. In cases of basal cell carcinomas and Bowen disease the biopsy was performed before and after the treatment. The results were evaluated by the standard univariational analysis.

Results:
The relative frequency, i.e. proportion of healed and non-healed patients in all diagnoses was the same after the use of 5-aminolevulic acid or hypericin senzitizers.

Conclusion:
In the studied groups and subgroups no statistically significant differences in the efficacy of 5-aminolevulic acid hypericin were observed. It is assumed that the results are influenced by a low number of included patients but the study still continues.

Key words:
photodynamic therapy – cutaneous tumours – 5-aminolevulinic acid – hypericin