Editorial
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World J Dermatol. May 2, 2014; 3(2): 6-14
Published online May 2, 2014. doi: 10.5314/wjd.v3.i2.6
Photodynamic therapy with topical aminolevulinic acid
Luca Negosanti, Valentina Pinto, Rossella Sgarzani, Francesca Negosanti, Guido Zannetti, Riccardo Cipriani
Luca Negosanti, Valentina Pinto, Rossella Sgarzani, Guido Zannetti, Riccardo Cipriani, Plastic Surgery Department, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Francesca Negosanti, Dermatologic Clinic, Centro Dermatologico, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Author contributions: Negosanti L, Pinto V, Sgarzani R, Negosanti F, Zannetti G and Cipriani R contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Luca Negosanti, MD, Plastic Surgery Department, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Via Giuseppe Dagnini 3, 40138 Bologna, Italy. luca.negosanti81@gmail.com
Telephone: +39-339-3120279 Fax: +39-51-397954
Received: October 18, 2013
Revised: December 26, 2013
Accepted: March 13, 2014
Published online: May 2, 2014
Processing time: 214 Days and 11.7 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with aminolevulinic acid is a relatively new therapy in dermatologic practice, and the indications for PDT are increasing continuously. PDT is based on the topical application of a porphyrin derivative followed by exposure of the treated area to a specific wavelength of light to selectively destroy a cutaneous target. A thorough knowledge of the mechanism of action of the treatment and its effects are necessary to provide the patient with an appropriate assessment and indication. In this paper we report the mechanism of action of PDT with aminolevulinic acid, the literature concerning the most common diseases treated with PDT and the subsequent level of evidence, according to the European Guidelines.