Efficacy of aminolevulinic acid 20 % solution photodynamic therapy in the treatment of actinic keratoses on the upper extremities: A post hoc analysis of a phase 3, randomized, vehicle-controlled trial

Photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid is indicated for targeted treatment of actinic keratoses on the face, scalp, and upper extremities. This was a post hoc analysis of a phase 3 randomized trial assessing the efficacy of aminolevulinic acid/photodynamic therapy for treatment of actinic keratoses on the upper extremities.Adults with 4-15 grade 1-2 actinic keratosis lesions on ≥1 upper extremity were randomized (1:1) to receive aminolevulinic acid/photodynamic therapy or vehicle/photodynamic therapy applied to individual lesions followed by occlusion and blue light treatment. Assessments included the clearance rate of treated lesions vs baseline, cumulative disease area clearance, and complete clearance by lesion size.There were 135 and 134 patients randomized to aminolevulinic acid/photodynamic therapy and vehicle/photodynamic therapy groups, respectively. At 12 weeks, clearance of treated lesions (80.6 % vs 45.5 %; P