methyl aminolevulinate
{{short description|Chemical compound}}
{{Drugbox
| Verifiedfields = changed
| Watchedfields = changed
| verifiedrevid = 470457959
| IUPAC_name = Methyl 5-amino-4-oxopentanoate
| image = Methyl aminolevulinate.svg
| tradename =
| Drugs.com = {{drugs.com|MTM|methyl-aminolevulinate}}
| pregnancy_AU =
| pregnancy_US =
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| legal_AU =
| legal_UK =
| legal_US =
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| routes_of_administration =
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| CAS_number_Ref = {{cascite|correct|??}}
| CAS_number = 33320-16-0
| UNII_Ref = {{fdacite|correct|FDA}}
| UNII = 585NM85KYM
| ATC_prefix = L01
| ATC_suffix = XD03
| ATC_supplemental =
| PubChem = 157922
| DrugBank_Ref = {{drugbankcite|correct|drugbank}}
| DrugBank = DB00992
| ChemSpiderID_Ref = {{chemspidercite|correct|chemspider}}
| ChemSpiderID = 13180320
| ChEMBL_Ref = {{ebicite|changed|EBI}}
| ChEMBL = 1096562
| C=6 | H=11 | N=1 | O=3
| smiles = O=C(CC(N)C(=O)OC)C
| StdInChI_Ref = {{stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}}
| StdInChI = 1S/C6H11NO3/c1-4(8)3-5(7)6(9)10-2/h5H,3,7H2,1-2H3
| StdInChIKey_Ref = {{stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}}
| StdInChIKey = FLQHIIVXMKXKFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
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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.
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.{{cite web|url=http://photocure.com/NEWS/newcontainer/Photocure-divests-Metvix-to-Galderma-for-EUR-51-million/ |title= Photocure Divests Metvix to Galderma for EUR 51 Million |access-date=2010-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207120321/http://photocure.com/NEWS/newcontainer/Photocure-divests-Metvix-to-Galderma-for-EUR-51-million/ |archive-date=2011-02-07 }}
Approvals and indications
File:Phototherapy week.png 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.{{cite web | vauthors = Ngan V | date = 2003 | url = http://dermnetnz.org/procedures/metvix-pdt.html | title = Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL PDT) | work = DermNet NZ }}
It is now approved in many countries and has been used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer (including basal cell carcinoma).{{cite web | title = New 5 Year Metvix-PDT Data Demonstrate Long-Term Efficacy & Reliability For NM Skin Cancer Treatment | url = https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-01/shi-n5y013106.php | date = 2006 | work = EurekAlert! }}
It has some advantages over Levulan.{{cite journal | vauthors = O'Connor AE, Gallagher WM, Byrne AT | title = Porphyrin and nonporphyrin photosensitizers in oncology: preclinical and clinical advances in photodynamic therapy | journal = Photochemistry and Photobiology | volume = 85 | issue = 5 | pages = 1053–74 | date = 2009 | pmid = 19682322 | doi = 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2009.00585.x | s2cid = 205950773 | doi-access = free }}
It has been reported as controversial in some quarters, with severe pain allegedly being experienced by some patients. {{cite web | title = Concerns raised over ALA skin cancer cream as patients recount 'horrendous' pain | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-16/concerns-raised-over-side-effects-of-skin-cancer-cream/5096496 | date = 16 November 2013 | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Chemotherapeutic agents}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Methyl Aminolevulinate}}