ALA photodynamic priming for radiation therapy

Low level photodynamic treatment primes tissue for change and potential further damage. Studies of the effect of aminolevulinic acid effects upon radiotherapy efficacy are ongoing in many centers with varying levels of effects occuring from just the molecule itself. However ALA administration to mice, stimulated by low level light, with just 5 J/cm2 red light, can drammatically amplify damage from radiotherapy. Interestingly the damage onset is also earlier, where typical basal cell damage from radaition is seen at 10-14 days macroscopically, whereas with photodynamic priming the damage begins more like 4 days after treatment. This hybrid approach to therapy is promising for delivery to tumors that are radiation resistant.