Methyl aminolevulinate

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.

Methyl aminolevulinate
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.comMultum Consumer Information
ATC code
Identifiers
  • Methyl 5-amino-4-oxopentanoate
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC6H11NO3
Molar mass145.158 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • O=C(CC(N)C(=O)OC)C
  • InChI=1S/C6H11NO3/c1-4(8)3-5(7)6(9)10-2/h5H,3,7H2,1-2H3 checkY
  • Key:FLQHIIVXMKXKFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

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
Interim result of phototherapy for actinic keratosis with Metvix one week after exposure. Patient has light skin and blue eyes.

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
  1. "Photocure Divests Metvix to Galderma for EUR 51 Million". Archived from the original on 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  2. Ngan V (2003). "Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL PDT)". DermNet NZ.
  3. "New 5 Year Metvix-PDT Data Demonstrate Long-Term Efficacy & Reliability For NM Skin Cancer Treatment". EurekAlert!. 2006.
  4. O'Connor AE, Gallagher WM, Byrne AT (2009). "Porphyrin and nonporphyrin photosensitizers in oncology: preclinical and clinical advances in photodynamic therapy". Photochemistry and Photobiology. 85 (5): 1053–74. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2009.00585.x. PMID 19682322. S2CID 205950773.
  5. "Concerns raised over ALA skin cancer cream as patients recount 'horrendous' pain". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 November 2013.


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