STL Index for: Aminolevulinic Acid

A variety of novel therapeutic modalities have recently become available for patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Here, we offer a brief overview of these agents and discuss their place in the spectrum of current therapies for CTCL.

Sunscreens have been around for more than 70 years. This article will review some of the recent advances in photoprotection, including the development of sunscreen formulations offering higher and broader protection against solar radiation.

Acne vulgaris can represent a therapeutic challenge in terms of managing ongoing symptoms and preventing scar formation. Dermatologists may now have viable new alternatives for treating all grades of acne severity that circumvent the negative side-effects associated with many conventional options.

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant inflammatory skin lesions with the potential to transform into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There are several treatment options available for patients presenting with multiple AKs. Imiquimod is believed to stimulate and enhance host immune responses locally against skin tumors and viral infections.

Photodynamic therapy has been used for several years for the treatment of actinic keratoses and prevention of invasive nonmelanoma cancers. Recently, increasing physician expertise with the topical sensitizers and light sources employed in PDT has led to expanded applications.

The role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of in situ neoplasias and tumors of the skin is steadily increasing. Its principles of photodynamic action include an intratumoral enriched photosensitizer and light activation.

Although PDT remains an investigational treatment modality in dermatology, several important areas of development may ultimately lead to official and practical acceptance of PDT for the skin. Various uses of PDT are evaluated.