Er:YAG ablative fractional laser-assisted photodynamic therapy (AFL-PDT) has shown significant benefit for the treatment of actinic keratosis(AK). Er:YAG ablative fractional laser ablates the epidermis and dermis without significant thermal injury, creating microscopic ablation zones (MAZ) in the portion of the skin that the laser is applied to. The formed MAZ depends on the laser parameters such as laser depth, laser density and laser passes, which affect the treatment outcome.
The investigators aimed to investigate whether the use of increased laser ablative depth affects the efficacy, side effects, cosmetic outcomes, and PPIX accumulation of AFL-PDT for facial AK in a randomized clinical trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
45
For AFL pre-treatment, lidocaine/prilocaine (5%) cream (EMLA; Astra Pharmaceuticals, LP, Westborough, MA, USA) was applied to the treatment area under occlusion for 30 min
After the anaesthetic cream was removed, AFL therapy was performed using a 2940-nm Er:YAG AFL (Joule; Sciton Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA) at 150 µm ablation depth, level 1 coagulation, 22% treatment density and a single pulse
Immediately after AFL treatment, an approximately 1- mm-thick layer of MAL (Metvix, PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and on 5 mm of surrounding normal tissue. Incubation time is 3 hours
Dong-A University
Busan, Seo-gu, Korea, Republic Of, 602-715, South Korea
Differences of short-term complete response rates between 3 groups
Lesion responses were classified as either a complete response (complete disappearance of the lesion) or a noncomplete response (incomplete disappearance)
Time frame: Short-term complete response rates were evaluated at 3 months after treatment
Differences of long-term complete response rates between 3 groups
In all cases of complete response, the patients were reviewed at 12 months to check for recurrence. Recurrence was assessed by inspection, dermoscopy, photography, palpation, and histologic findings. For the histopathologic evaluation of treatment response, at the 12-month follow-up visit, a 3-mm punch biopsy of the treated AK lesion was performed in all cases of clinically incomplete response.
Time frame: Long-term complete response rates were evaluated at 12 months
Difference of the recurrence rates between 3 groups
In all cases of complete response, the patients were reviewed at 12 months to check for recurrence. Recurrence was assessed by inspection, dermoscopy, photography, palpation, and histologic findings. For the histopathologic evaluation of treatment response, at the 12-month follow-up visit, a 3-mm punch biopsy of the treated AK lesion was performed in all cases of clinically incomplete response.
Time frame: Recurrence rates were evaluated respectively at 12 months after treatment
Differences of the fluorescence intensity between 3 groups
After 3 hours of application with MAL, Fluorescence imaging analysis was performed on treatment area with ultraviolet examination light (model 31602,356 nm; Burton Medical Products Crop.) at 10 cm height above the base of each lesion. The red fluorescence was separated and extracted by Matlab program and then used to measure the amount of 633 nm fluorescence of protoporphyrin IX.
Time frame: After 3 hours of application with MAL, fluorescence intensity imaging was assessed 10 minutes before illumination.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
After 3 hours of application with MAL, saline wash was performed and fluorescence imaging analysis was performed with ultraviolet examination light (model 31602,356 nm; Burton Medical Products Crop.) at 10 cm height above the base of each lesion. The red fluorescence (610 nm-700 nm) was separated and extracted by Matlab program and then used to measure the amount of 633 nm fluorescence of protoporphyrin IX.
After incubation for 3 hours, the dressing and cream were removed, and the area was cleansed with saline. The area was irradiated with a red light-emitting diode lamp (Aktilite CL 128; PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) with peak emission at 632 nm, placed 5 cm away from the skin surface, and a total light dose of 37 J/cm-2. All patients wore protective goggles during illumination.
Differences of cosmetic outcomes between 3 groups
Cosmetic outcomes were graded as excellent (slight redness or pigmentation change), good (moderate redness or pigmentation change), fair (slight-to-moderate scarring, atrophy, or induration), or poor (extensive scarring, atrophy, or induration)
Time frame: The overall cosmetic outcome was assessed 12 months after treatment
Difference of adverse events (erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, edema, itching, oozing, bleeding) rates between 3 groups
Adverse events reported by the patient were noted at each follow-up visit, including severity, duration and need for additional therapy. All events due to PDT were described as phototoxic reactions (i.e., erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, oedema, itching, oozing, bleeding and so forth).
Time frame: Within 12 months after each treatment