Chemical formula: C₆H₁₁NO₃ Molecular mass: 145.156 g/mol PubChem compound: 157922
Methyl aminolevulinate is a prodrug that is metabolized to protoporphyrin. After topical application of methyl aminolevulinate, porphyrins accumulate intracellularly in the treated skin lesions. The intracellular porphyrins (including PpIX) are photoactive, fluorescing compounds and, upon light activation in the presence of oxygen, singlet oxygen is formed which causes damage to cellular compartments, in particular the mitochondria. Light activation of accumulated porphyrins leads to a photochemical reaction and thereby phototoxicity to the light-exposed target cells.
This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:
| ATC code | Group title | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| L01XD03 | Methyl aminolevulinate | L Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents → L01 Antineoplastic agents → L01X Other antineoplastic agents → L01XD Sensitizers used in photodynamic/radiation therapy |
Competent medicine agencies globally have authorized commercialization of this active ingredient according to these medication package inserts (MPIs):
| Title | Information Source | Document Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| METVIX Cream | Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) | MPI, EU: SmPC |
Methyl aminolevulinate is an active ingredient of these brands:
Austria (AT)Brazil (BR)
Canada (CA)
Finland (FI)
France (FR)
Ireland (IE)
Malta (MT)
Netherlands (NL)
Singapore (SG)
South Africa (ZA)
Spain (ES)
United Kingdom (UK)
Note the following: The list of brand names is continuously updated, and thus does not include the total of products circulating worldwide. |
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