Premium
Do pulsed lasers produce an effective photodynamic therapy response?
Author(s) -
Strasswimmer John,
Grande Donald J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.20277
Subject(s) - intense pulsed light , photodynamic therapy , blue light , laser , dye laser , light source , pulsed laser , hair removal , medicine , visible spectrum , materials science , dermatology , optoelectronics , optics , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry
Background Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in dermatology is traditionally performed with topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and continuous‐wave (CW) illumination with blue or red light. Recently, several authors have reported success with laser and other pulsed‐light sources for PDT. While the clinical benefits on sun‐exposed skin are apparent, no study has demonstrated that the pulsed light sources are responsible for the observed response. Study Design A placebo‐controlled study of two pulsed light sources previously reported for PDT: the pulsed dye laser (PDL) or broadband flashlamp filtered intense pulsed light (IPL). Sun‐hidden skin was prepared with microdermabrasion and acetone scrub followed by ALA under occlusion. Laser or IPL was delivered under conditions previously reported to produce a clinical response. Control areas were exposed to standardized CW blue light or to no light. A second control area was prepared and received light and the ALA vehicle. Results IPL and PDL demonstrated a faint dose‐response effect on PDT activation, but were less potent than a smaller fluence of CW blue light. Ambient light activated ALA‐treated skin. Conclusion Both IPL and PDL are capable of activation of PDT but produce dramatically less PDT reaction than the standard CW blue‐light broadband source. Physicians desiring a robust PDT response might select CW sources over pulsed sources. Ambient light may activate a PDT reaction. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.