Photodynamic therapy is an effective treatment for actinic keratoses. In the United States topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is approved as a photosensitizing agent for this treatment, and it has traditionally been activated with the use of an in-office artificial light source. This clinical trial seeks to measure the safety and efficacy of using natural sunlight to activate the ALA.
* Initial Visit: * study inclusion criteria reviewed * consent forms reviewed * creation of facial map for actinic keratoses * face cleansed with chlorhexidine soap * light curettage of precancerous skin lesions * application of topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) * application of sunscreen * patient then spends 2 hours outdoors in a shaded area * after treatment the patient is to remain indoors for 48 hours * 3 month follow up visit \- facial map of actinic keratoses used to document treatment response * 6 month follow up visit * facial map of actinic keratoses used to document treatment response
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Topical application followed by activation by ambient sunlight
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California, United States
Percent Change in the Number of Actinic Keratoses
Percent change in number of actinic keratoses at 6 months
Time frame: 0 (baseline) and 6 months
Number of Participants With Adverse Events
Number of participants with adverse events such as crusting, erythema, edema, or pain
Time frame: 2 days
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