Last reviewed · How we verify
Broad Area ALA 1-hour incubation
ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid) is a precursor to porphyrins, which accumulate in abnormal cells and become fluorescent under blue light, allowing for photodynamic therapy.
ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid) is a precursor to porphyrins, which accumulate in abnormal cells and become fluorescent under blue light, allowing for photodynamic therapy. Used for Actinic keratosis.
At a glance
| Generic name | Broad Area ALA 1-hour incubation |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Levulan |
| Sponsor | DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
| Drug class | Photodynamic therapy agent |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Dermatology |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
Mechanism of action
This mechanism is based on the principle that abnormal cells, such as those found in actinic keratoses, have a higher rate of porphyrin synthesis than normal cells. The ALA is applied topically and is absorbed by the abnormal cells, where it is converted into porphyrins. These porphyrins then accumulate in the cells and become fluorescent under blue light, allowing for selective destruction of the abnormal cells with a light source.
Approved indications
- Actinic keratosis
Common side effects
- Skin irritation
Key clinical trials
- Short-incubation Levulan Photodynamic Therapy Versus Vehicle for Face/Scalp Actinic Keratosis (AK) (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Broad Area ALA 1-hour incubation CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Broad Area ALA 1-hour incubation updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. portfolio CI