Background
5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a precursor in the biosynthesis of porprins, including heme. The conversion of 5-ALA to protoporprins within tissues produces a photosensitive target that produces reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light.1 In this way, it is used in photodynamic therapy for a range of dermatological conditions, cancers, and other diseases.1,2,3 Also, oral administration of 5-ALA leads to the preferential accumulation of the fluorescent molecule protoporprin IX within certain types of cancer cells.4,5 This allows fluorescence-based identification of tumor tissue for accurate resection of diseased tissue.4,5
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