aminolevulinic acid


aminolevulinic acid

 (ALA) [ah-me″no-lev″u-lin´ik] δ-aminolevulinic acid; a precursor of porphyrins" >porphyrins and hemoglobin" >hemoglobin; serum levels of this acid are elevated in lead poisoning" >lead poisoning and urinary levels are increased in some porphyrias. The hydrochloride salt is used as a topical photosensitizer in the treatment of nonhyperkeratotic keratoses" >actinic keratoses.

aminolevulinic acid

Oncology A drug used in photodynamic therapy which is absorbed by tumor cells and activated when exposed to light, killing the cells. See Photodynamic therapy.