Levulan

Glioma, Actinic cheilitis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma + 3 more

Treatment

20 Active Studies for Levulan

What is Levulan

Aminolevulinic acid

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Aminolevulinic acid is a drug used to treat actinic keratosis, a type of skin condition caused by too much sun exposure. It is made from two substances, succinyl-CoA and glycine, which are used in the formation of a compound called heme. It is used as a form of light therapy to help treat the condition.

Levulan Kerastick

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Levulan Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Levulan Kerastick

Aminolevulinic acid

2000

4

Effectiveness

How Levulan Affects Patients

Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is the first step in a process that makes heme, a molecule essential for healthy red blood cells. ALA does not directly make heme, but instead helps create protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), which is then converted into heme when iron is added to the molecule. Normally, the body controls how much ALA it makes, but when ALA is taken in, it can increase the amount of PpIX, which in turn increases the amount of heme.

How Levulan works in the body

Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is applied to the skin and converted into a molecule called protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). When exposed to a special type of light, PpIX reacts and produces chemicals that damage nearby cells. This reaction is called photodynamic therapy (PDT) and is used to treat actinic (solar) keratosis.

When to interrupt dosage

The recommended measure of Levulan is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, including Carcinoma, Face and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The dosage fluctuates depending on the approach of delivery (e.g. Topical or Gel - Cutaneous) outlined in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Tumor Visualization

20.0 %, , 30.0 mg/mL, 0.078 mg/mg, 0.1 mg/mg, 200.0 mg/mL, 1500.0 mg, 354.0 mg/mL

, Topical, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Topical, Oral, Powder, for solution - Oral, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cutaneous, Gel - Topical, Solution - Topical

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

20.0 %, , 30.0 mg/mL, 0.078 mg/mg, 0.1 mg/mg, 200.0 mg/mL, 1500.0 mg, 354.0 mg/mL

, Topical, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Topical, Oral, Powder, for solution - Oral, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cutaneous, Gel - Topical, Solution - Topical

Face

20.0 %, , 30.0 mg/mL, 0.078 mg/mg, 0.1 mg/mg, 200.0 mg/mL, 1500.0 mg, 354.0 mg/mL

, Topical, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Topical, Oral, Powder, for solution - Oral, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cutaneous, Gel - Topical, Solution - Topical

Scalp structure

20.0 %, , 30.0 mg/mL, 0.078 mg/mg, 0.1 mg/mg, 200.0 mg/mL, 1500.0 mg, 354.0 mg/mL

, Topical, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Topical, Oral, Powder, for solution - Oral, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cutaneous, Gel - Topical, Solution - Topical

Glioma

20.0 %, , 30.0 mg/mL, 0.078 mg/mg, 0.1 mg/mg, 200.0 mg/mL, 1500.0 mg, 354.0 mg/mL

, Topical, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Topical, Oral, Powder, for solution - Oral, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cutaneous, Gel - Topical, Solution - Topical

Actinic cheilitis

20.0 %, , 30.0 mg/mL, 0.078 mg/mg, 0.1 mg/mg, 200.0 mg/mL, 1500.0 mg, 354.0 mg/mL

, Topical, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Topical, Oral, Powder, for solution - Oral, Gel, Gel - Cutaneous, Cutaneous, Gel - Topical, Solution - Topical

Warnings

Levulan has four contraindications and should not be employed when presented with any of the conditions identified in the following table.

Levulan Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Porphyrias

Do Not Combine

cutaneous photosensitivity at wavelengths 400-450 nm

Do Not Combine

Photosensitivity Disorders

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

There are 3 known major drug interactions with Levulan.

Common Levulan Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Porfimer sodium

Minor

Aminolevulinic acid may increase the photosensitizing activities of Porfimer sodium.

Verteporfin

Minor

Aminolevulinic acid may increase the photosensitizing activities of Verteporfin.

Padeliporfin

Moderate

Aminolevulinic acid may increase the photosensitizing activities of Padeliporfin.

Levulan Toxicity & Overdose Risk

There have been no reports of overdosing on this solution.

Levulan Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Levulan?

53 ongoing trials are examining the possible applications of Levulan in treating Carcinoma, Scalp structure and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

32 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1

Face

0 Actively Recruiting

Actinic cheilitis

0 Actively Recruiting

Scalp structure

0 Actively Recruiting

Tumor Visualization

0 Actively Recruiting

Glioma

0 Actively Recruiting

Levulan Reviews: What are patients saying about Levulan?

4.3

Patient Review

2/1/2018

Levulan for Skin Lesions that are Not Thick due to Sun Exposure

This treatment is way easier than the six-week ointments I've had to use in the past. I've been using this twice a year for three years now and, although I'm still getting basal cells on my face, I would never go back to the ointments. The discomfort isn't as extreme as others have reported. And living in darkness for two days due to photosensitivity is much more manageable than six weeks of hell with the ointments.

3.7

Patient Review

12/11/2019

Levulan for Skin Lesions that are Not Thick due to Sun Exposure

I am fair-skinned and have reddish blond hair. I found the treatment, as well as the following 24 hours, to be quite painful. The cold air during treatment did help a bit; though, when blowing it on my face/up my nose, I felt like I was being waterboarded. Despite this, the treatment is effective. For me personally, it just caused an extreme amount of pain and discomfort. Icepacks for the first day post-treatment really helped out a lot.

2

Patient Review

3/19/2022

Levulan for Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp

I've now had three treatments total, two of which were on my scalp, and I haven't seen any results. No redness, pain, swelling, or itching. I even went out in the sun (with a hat) after treatment and didn't have any negative reaction. At this point, I'm wondering if these medical groups are just trying to make money off of patients.

1

Patient Review

1/25/2019

Levulan for Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp

I did a lot of research before starting this treatment and was very hopeful. I even took a week off from work to make sure I didn't miss any early signs, but unfortunately there has been absolutely no improvement whatsoever.

1

Patient Review

8/6/2018

Levulan for Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp

I had two treatments on my face.

Patient Q&A Section about levulan

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long does it take to recover from blue light therapy?

"It typically takes two to six weeks to fully recover from PDT depending on the area of the body being treated."

Answered by AI

What does Levulan treat?

"LEVULAN Kerastick is a prescription medication that is used in conjunction with blue light therapy to treat actinic keratoses. Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches that form on the skin as a result of exposure to ultraviolet light."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of blue light therapy?

"The symptoms of this condition include mild to moderate pain, peeling skin, skin redness, crusting of the skin, tightness, swelling, itching, and an acne flare-up."

Answered by AI

How long does photosensitivity last after Levulan?

"The length of time that the Levulan incubates as well as the amount of damage done by the sun will determine how severe the reaction to the treatment will be. It is not unusual to have a reaction that is similar to a sunburn and lasts for 5 to 7 days. Some swelling, peeling, crusting, and discomfort is also to be expected."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Levulan

Image of Mayo Clinic in Florida in Jacksonville, United States.

In-Home Treatment for Cancer

18+
All Sexes
Jacksonville, FL

This phase II trial studies whether providing cancer treatment in the home is preferred over the traditional clinic setting and if it improves treatment satisfaction in cancer patients living in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas. Typically, drug-related cancer care is provided at a medical center which causes patients to have to spend considerable time away from their family, friends, and familiar surroundings. This may add to the physical, emotional, social, and financial burden for patients and their families during this difficult time in their lives. The Cancer Connected Access and Remote Expertise (CARE) Beyond Walls (CCBW) program uses a specialized care team trained to provide cancer treatment in the patient's home setting. It is designed to support remote connection between the home health team and providers and Mayo clinic. This may be preferred over the traditional clinic setting which may improve treatment satisfaction in cancer patients living in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas.

Phase 2
Recruiting

Mayo Clinic in Florida

Roxana S. Dronca, MD

Image of Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Taussig Cancer Institute in Cleveland, United States.

Vitamin D + PDT for Skin Cancer

18+
All Sexes
Cleveland, OH

This research study is for people who have been diagnosed with a nonmelanoma skin cancer (either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) and are planning to receive either Mohs surgery or ED\&C (electrodessication \& curettage) as part of clinical care. The purpose of this study is to understand how photodynamic therapy (PDT) with or without Vitamin D can promote an immune response to skin cancer. For this study, participants will be randomized (randomly assigned) and asked to take Vitamin D or placebo for 6 days and come to the clinic for a single PDT treatment 1-14 days prior to their surgery. At this visit, photographs of participant's skin cancer will be taken, and participants will undergo PDT treatment. The study team will also take photos on the day of Mohs surgery or ED\&C. There will be up to two blood draws for research. If participants do not want to come in for a PDT treatment prior to their Mohs surgery or ED\&C, they will have the option to participate by only allowing the study team to collect data about their skin cancer and their tissue from Mohs surgery or ED\&C.

Waitlist Available
Dietary Supplement

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Taussig Cancer Institute

Edward Maytin, MD, PhD

Have you considered Levulan clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Levulan, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials

Have you considered Levulan clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Levulan, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials
Image of Mayo Clinic in Rochester in Rochester, United States.

Digital Treatment Platform for Brain Tumor

18+
All Sexes
Rochester, MN

This clinical trial tests how well a digital treatment platform using a mobile application works for the delivery of home-based sequential therapy in patients with glioma. Access to specialized neuro-oncology care in the United States for patients with glioma is critically deficient. Care at centers with neuro-oncology specialists is associated with improved survival outcomes, yet many patients have limited access due to distance, disease-related disability, or lack of financial resources. The application provides patients continuous access to their care team in the home setting. A digital treatment platform may increase clinical trial participation and accelerate development of novel therapeutics while addressing a great health disparity in patients with glioma.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Mayo Clinic in Rochester (+1 Sites)

Ugur T. Sener, MD

Have you considered Levulan clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Levulan, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials