Methods for photodynamic therapy
A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.
1. A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy, the method comprising:
topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy;
after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to provide a transepidermal water loss rate from the treatment area of 1.11 g/m 2 hr or less; and
removing the low density polyethylene barrier after 3 hours and then applying light to the treatment area.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment provides a transepidermal water loss rate from the treatment area of 0.96 g/m 2 hr or less.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment provides a transepidermal water loss rate from the treatment area of 0.67 g/m 2 hr or less.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier contacts the treatment area.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
applying 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to an actinic keratotic lesion on the stratum corneum of an upper extremity to provide a geometric mean area under a curve value of ALA, following application, of less than about 350 ng·hr/mL.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the treatment area is not heated prior to applying light to the treatment area.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the treatment area is covered with the barrier by conforming the barrier to the treatment area such that the barrier stays close to a surface of the treatment area.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a two layer barrier wherein a top layer provides light pressure to keep a lower layer in place.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the low density polyethylene barrier is held in place with an elastic net.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier is covered with material.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier is covered with material by placing the material over and around the barrier.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the low density polyethylene barrier is removed within 3 hours and 18 minutes.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the treatment area is wet when the treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the topical composition comprises a gel.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the light is red light.
16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ALA is applied digitally.
17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ALA is applied with a hand-held device.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the treatment area comprises an actinic keratotic lesion.
19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the treatment area is heated by about 2° C. prior to applying light to the treatment area.
20. A method of treating actinic keratosis comprising:
applying 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to an actinic keratotic lesion on the stratum corneum of an upper extremity;
after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to provide a transepidermal water loss from the treatment area of 1.11 g/m 2 hr or less; and
removing the low density polyethylene barrier after 3 hours and then applying light to the treatment area.
21. A method of treating actinic keratosis comprising:
applying 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to an actinic keratotic lesion on the stratum corneum of an upper extremity to provide a maximum plasma concentration of ALA of less than about 110 ng/mL, following application of the ALA to the lesion;
covering a treatment area including the lesion with a low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to provide a transepidermal water loss rate from the treatment area of 1.11 g/m 2 hr or less; and
removing the low density polyethylene barrier after 3 hours and then applying light to the treatment area.