Transient memory impairment and transient global amnesia induced by photodynamic therapy

Adverse reactions of ALA-PDT for the treatment of cutaneous diseases: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

5-Aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is an effective therapy for cutaneous diseases, such as precancers, superficial non melanoma skin cancers and certain inflammatory or viral conditions. However, the absence of a complete picture of adverse reactions limits the promotion of ALA-PDT.

OBJECTIVE

To systemically investigate the detailed evidence of adverse reactions relating to ALA-PDT for skin diseases.

METHODS

A retrospective study performed at the Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital.

RESULTS

In the retrospective study, 439 patients were included. Incidences of adverse reactions, including in-treatment pain (98.8%), erythema (92.4%), edema (35.0%), exudation (23.0%), hyperpigmentation (27.3%) were clarified. Edema was more common in female patients (P<0.05). Patients with HPV-related skin diseases were more likely to suffer erythema, edema or exudation (P<0.05). Hyperpigmentation was more likely to occur in skin appendage disorders (P<0.05). Fever (2.4%) and hypopigmentation (1.9%) are two neglected adverse reactions analyzed in detail. Fever is more prevalent in female patients. Hypopigmentation occurred predominantly in elderly with skin cancer or precancerosis lesions.

CONCLUSION

The results outline detailed information about the adverse reactions, including systemic reactions following ALA-PDT, assisting dermatologists in predicting and managing adverse reactions for greater efficacy and higher patient satisfaction.

Chinese guidelines on the clinical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy in dermatology (2021 edition)

Photodynamic Therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-PDT) has been widely applied in the treatment of skin diseases in China. To further standardize, guide, and promote the clinical applications of ALA-PDT in dermatology, the Chinese Society of Dermatology, Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Dermatology, Photomedicine Therapeutic Equipment Group of Committee on Skin Disease, and Cosmetic Dermatology of China Association of Medical Equipment invited relevant experts engaged in ALA-PDT to revise and update the first edition of "Clinical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy: an expert consensus statement" and establish a more current edition, to provide an updated reference for Chinese dermatologists in clinical practice. In the guideline, the expert group reached consensus opinions on ALA-PDT with regard to mechanisms of action, therapeutic protocol, clinical applications, adverse reactions and countermeasures, precautions, care, and evaluation of efficacy.

Safety of topical interventions for the treatment of actinic keratosis

Introduction: Actinic keratosis (AK) are proliferations of atypical keratinocytes that may eventually progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, AK requires consequent and early treatment. Areas covered: A variety of effective approaches is currently available for the clearance of AK. These interventions may be applied either in a lesion-directed or field-directed mode as AK can occur as single or multiple lesions. Field-directed approaches typically comprise topical drug-mediated interventions which aim at eliminating all visible lesions and also at clearing subclinical changes of the actinically damaged field. However, most treatment options are associated with local adverse events such as erythema, scaling, pain, and rarely with systemic symptoms. This expert review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the safety considerations of the commonly prescribed topical treatment agents cyclooxygenase inhibitors, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, ingenol mebutate, and photodynamic therapy. All these therapies have been proven efficient, yet they differ considerably regarding their safety profile. Expert opinion: In the future, safety concerns will relate to long-term and irreversible adverse drug events instead of application site reactions. In particular, the rate of treatment-associated non-melanoma skin cancers will increasingly come into focus and warrant investigation in postmarketing surveillance trials with a long-term follow-up.