Consequences of changing illumination procedures in photodynamic therapy

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: H.C. Wulf, C.M. Lerche, P.A. Philipsen, S.R. Wiegell
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2026.105457
Cited by: 1
References: 15

Abstract

Conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) for actinic keratoses (AK) involves a three-hour accumulation of protoporphyin IX (PpIX) after methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) or 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) application, followed by 7-12 min of illumination which may elicit severe pain. Daylight-mediated PDT greatly reduces pain by activating PpIX while it forms. Various visible light sources can be used to replicate daylight PDT indoors, with either prolonged incubation time before illumination, or a fixed incubation of 30 min. before illumination. Extended incubation before illumination causes more pain, whereas shortening the illumination duration reduces the amount of activated PpIX which may impair treatment efficacy.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
59
Pages
105457–105457
Publication date
28 March 2026
Language
EN