5-Aminolevulinic acid as an emerging radiosensitizer for radiodynamic therapy in solid tumors: a systematic review of available data and clinical potential.

ABSTRACT:

Background

5‑Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a keto-carbon amino acid frequently used in glioma surgery for fluorescence-guided resection. Additionally, cytotoxic properties of 5‑ALA can be induced via stimulation with laser light in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Preclinical in vitro and in vivo trials have also demonstrated this effect to be inducible by photon irradiation as used in radiation treatment. This makes 5‑ALA a potential sensitizer for radiation therapy whose capabilities and limitations have not yet been fully evaluated. In this article, we present results from a systematic literature review regarding the evidence of 5‑ALA's radiosensitizing properties and the context of its use. We discuss these findings in terms of the underlying mechanisms, their limitations, and the

SUBMITTER: Pepper NB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12488766 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature