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Most cells of the human body can transform ALA or MAL into
porphyrins. However, significant differences exist in porphyrin accumulation
between various tissues and cell types. After the application of MAL or ALA to
human skin, porphyrins accumulate mostly in sebaceous glands and the epidermis.
Neoplastic cells accumulate more porphyrins than normal cells, which has
prompted the development of ALA and MAL photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the
treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs), Bowen disease, and basal cell carcinoma
(BCC). |
