Drugs / methyl aminolevulinate
last change Aug 2026 re-read 2 minutes ago

methyl aminolevulinate

Small molecule

Developed for
actinic keratosis · basal cell carcinoma · skin basal cell carcinoma · acne · Bowen disease of the skin · actinic cheilitis · hyperpigmentation of the skin · periprosthetic joint infection
+8 more · prosthesis-related infectious disease · skin disorder · skin neoplasm · squamous cell carcinoma · superficial multifocal basal cell carcinoma · ulcer of lower limbs · dysplasia of cervix · skin atrophy
Investigated by
Galderma R&D · Dong-A University · Joint Authority for Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care · Photocure · Akershus Dermatological Centre · Brazilian National Cancer Institute
+31 more · Centre Dermatologique du Roy · Fundación Dermabase · Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Oncología · Førde Central Hospital · Galderma Canada · Grupo de Investigacion Dermatologica (GRID) · Haukeland University Hospital · Helse Stavanger HF · Helsinki University Central Hospital · Hudlegekontoret Lillehammer · Hudlegene på Holtet DA · IPS Universitaria-Universidad de Antioquia · Innovaderm Research Inc. · Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine · LEO Pharma · Merete Haedersdal · National Cancer Institute (NCI) · Norwegian University of Science and Technology · Nîmes University Hospital · Oslo University Hospital · Pacific Dermaesthetics · Päijänne Tavastia Central Hospital · Roswell Park Cancer Institute · STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority: Finland · Tampere University · Tampere University Hospital · University Hospital Regensburg · University Hospital, Limoges · University of Sao Paulo General Hospital · University of Zurich · Vaasa Central Hospital, Vaasa, Finland

Regulatory milestones approvals, filings & regulatory actions · 2 recorded

MilestoneJurisdictionBrandIndicationDateSentence it was read from
Label expansion US (FDA) METVIXIA 2008-06-26 fda.gov
Approved US (FDA) METVIXIA 2004-07-27 fda.gov

Trials 35 · a red edge is where a trial was stopped

PhaseRegistry idDatesIndicationSponsorStatusOutcome
Phase 01 trial
Phase 0 NCT05676801 Feb → Sep 2023 periprosthetic joint infection, prosthesis-related infectious disease University of Zurich Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 15 trials
Phase 1 NCT03325803 Sep 2015 → Sep 2016 actinic keratosis Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02670655 Jun 2014 → Dec 2015 actinic keratosis Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02666534 Jan 2012 → Dec 2015 squamous cell carcinoma Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT03320447 Oct 2011 → Oct 2016 Bowen disease of the skin Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT01292668 Mar 2011 → Jul 2012 skin basal cell carcinoma Roswell Park Cancer Institute Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1/21 trial
Phase 1/2 NCT02149342 May 2014 → Sep 2015 actinic keratosis Joint Authority for Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 27 trials
Phase 2 NCT05104099 Nov 2021 → Jun 2024 squamous cell intraepithelial neoplasia, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT03990636 Oct 2019 → May 2020 actinic cheilitis, erythroplakia, leukoplakia Brazilian National Cancer Institute Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT02354391 Jan 2015 → Dec 2019 actinic keratosis Pacific Dermaesthetics Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT02139618 Apr → Oct 2014 hyperpigmentation of the skin Fundación Dermabase Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00673933 May → Dec 2008 acne Photocure Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00437320 Apr 2007 → Sep 2008 skin disorder Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00594425 Feb 2007 → Jul 2008 acne Photocure Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 39 trials
Phase 3 NCT04085367 Sep 2019 → Mar 2021 actinic keratosis Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT02373371 Mar 2015 → Nov 2016 actinic keratosis University Hospital, Limoges Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT01475071 Mar → Nov 2012 actinic keratosis Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00926952 Jul 2009 → Dec 2010 actinic keratosis Innovaderm Research Inc. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00304239 Mar 2006 → Jan 2007 actinic keratosis Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00472108 Dec 2000 → Apr 2002 basal cell carcinoma Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00472043 Oct 2000 → Sep 2002 skin basal cell carcinoma Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00473343 Sep 2000 → Jun 2006 basal cell carcinoma Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00469417 Oct 1999 → Sep 2001 superficial multifocal basal cell carcinoma Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 47 trials
Phase 4 NCT03573076 Sep → Dec 2018 Merete Haedersdal Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT03511326 Jun → Nov 2017 actinic keratosis Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT03731988 Feb → Oct 2017 actinic keratosis Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT02736760 Mar 2016 → Sep 2018 actinic keratosis University Hospital Regensburg Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT02647151 Dec 2015 → Mar 2016 actinic keratosis Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Oncología Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT02464709 Jun 2015 → Oct 2017 actinic keratosis Joint Authority for Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT01893203 Aug 2013 → Dec 2014 actinic keratosis Joint Authority for Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care Completed No outcome recorded
Phase not applicable4 trials
NCT05522036 Jan 2022 → Jun 2023 actinic keratosis Centre Dermatologique du Roy Completed No outcome recorded
NCT03013647 Sep 2016 → Apr 2017 actinic keratosis University of Sao Paulo General Hospital Unknown No outcome recorded
NCT02392390 Oct 2015 → Mar 2016 ulcer of lower limbs Nîmes University Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
NCT01482104 Jun 2012 → Oct 2017 basal cell carcinoma, skin neoplasm Norwegian University of Science and Technology Completed No outcome recorded
Phase not stated1 trial
NCT00535080 Bowen disease of the skin, actinic keratosis, skin basal cell carcinoma Galderma R&D No longer available No outcome recorded
Also used as a comparator or background therapy in 18 trials
PhaseRegistry idDatesIndicationSponsorStatusOutcome
Phase 16 trials
Phase 1 NCT02372370 Comparator Dec 2014 Bispebjerg Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02976727 Background May 2014 → Aug 2015 actinic keratosis Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02511145 Comparator Feb → May 2014 Galderma R&D Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02248298 Comparator Jan 2012 → Jun 2014 actinic keratosis Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT02198469 Comparator Jan 2012 → Mar 2014 actinic cheilitis Dong-A University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1/22 trials
Phase 1/2 NCT02367547 Comparator Mar 2015 → Sep 2018 basal cell carcinoma Joint Authority for Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT00369018 Comparator Aug 2006 → Jul 2009 dysplasia of cervix Photocure Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 21 trial
Phase 2 NCT00833183 Comparator Jul 2007 → Jul 2008 acne Photocure Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2/31 trial
Phase 2/3 NCT01260987 Background Oct 2010 → Aug 2012 actinic keratosis, skin basal cell carcinoma Bispebjerg Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 35 trials
Phase 3 NCT07381972 Background Nov 2025 → Aug 2026 overdue nodular basal cell carcinoma University of Sao Paulo Recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT04269395 Comparator Apr 2020 → Sep 2021 actinic keratosis Galderma R&D Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT02144077 Comparator Jan 2014 → Nov 2015 basal cell carcinoma Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT02799069 Comparator Apr 2008 → Aug 2009 actinic keratosis Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00629317 Comparator Feb 2008 → Jan 2009 skin atrophy Universidad de Antioquia Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 42 trials
Phase 4 NCT03909646 Comparator May 2019 → Mar 2022 Bowen disease of the skin Maastricht University Medical Center Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT01491711 Comparator Aug 2013 → Apr 2015 superficial multifocal basal cell carcinoma Maastricht University Medical Center Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase not applicable1 trial
NCT05456334 Background Mar 2016 → Dec 2023 actinic keratosis Helsinki University Central Hospital Unknown No outcome recorded

Evidence & citations 15 cited values

Every value below carries the sentence it was read from. 56 sources stand behind the page.

FieldValueCited text
Known as Methylaminolevulinate “The primary purpose of this study is to assess recurrence of Actinic Keratosis in participants treated with Methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride (MAL) 16.8 percent (%) cream...” NCT04269395
36

“This study will assess safety and efficacy of four treatments with methylaminolevulinate (MAL) at 80 mg/g performed with and without occlusion and followed by red light...” NCT00833183

“The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) cream to cryotherapy, in treatment of participants with primary...” NCT00469417

“Methyl aminolevulinate, cream 160mg/g.One session at baseline and a second session administration at week 12 for lesions showing non-complete response and new lesions on target area.” NCT01475071

“Topical application of 125 microliter methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) cream followed by red light illumination after 3 hours incubation (i.e. photodynamic therapy (PDT)).” NCT02372370

“Evaluation of the Ability of PpIX Fluorescence to Mark High-grade Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia Following the Methyl Aminolevulinate (Metvixia®) Application” NCT05104099

“The first session involves the application of MAL (methyl aminolevulinate) cream to the skin tumor, followed by an incubation period of 3 hours.” NCT07381972

“Methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride 160 milligram (mg)/gram (g) cream were received by participants with primary nodular basal cell carcinoma.” NCT00472043

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is an effective first-line treatment for actinic keratosis (AK).” NCT02248298

“Investigator applied a thin layer of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) hydrochloride 16.8% cream to each lesion during treatment.” NCT04085367

“The present test drug contains methyl aminolevulinate, which penetrates the lesions well and shows high lesion selectivity.” NCT00304239

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) is effective in the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK).” NCT02670655

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) is effective in the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK).” NCT02976727

“Photocure ASA has developed a cream formulation containing methyl aminolevulinate (MAL), an ester of ALA.” NCT00833183

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methylaminolevulinate (MAL) is an innovative treatment modality” NCT02666534

“Topical application of MAL cream (Metvix) containing 160 mg/g methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL).” NCT02799069

“Photodynamic therapy using methyl-aminolevulinate and red light (37 J/cm2)” NCT01260987

“photosensitizer-inducing prodrug 5% topical methyl aminolevulinate (MAL)” NCT05676801

“Photodynamic therapy with Methyl Aminolevulinate creme and red light.” NCT03573076

“methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL PDT)” NCT02354391

“Methyl-aminolevulinate” NCT01482104

NCT00535080

NCT03320447

NCT00673933

NCT00926952

NCT02144077

NCT01491711

NCT02139618

NCT02666534

NCT03909646

NCT02736760

NCT03013647

NCT00369018

NCT02647151

NCT00629317

NCT02367547

NCT00594425

Known as MAL “The primary purpose of this study is to assess recurrence of Actinic Keratosis in participants treated with Methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride (MAL) 16.8 percent (%) cream...” NCT04269395
26

“The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness and safety of the medicine Ameluz® (5-aminolevulinic acid) in comparison to methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL), used with...” NCT02144077

“This study is a multicenter study investigating the clinical efficacy of repetitive daylight-PDT with MAL (Methylaminolevulinate) compared to cryosurgery in regard to...” NCT02736760

“PDT with methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL) is an attractive treatment option for BD with large or multiple patches, and poor healing sites can be treated with good efficacy, low...” NCT01912976

“This study will explore topical application of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) and hexaminolevulinate (HAL) of the cervix for photodynamic therapy using red light (630 nm).” NCT00369018

“Topical application of 125 microliter methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) cream followed by red light illumination after 3 hours incubation (i.e. photodynamic therapy (PDT)).” NCT02372370

“The first session involves the application of MAL (methyl aminolevulinate) cream to the skin tumor, followed by an incubation period of 3 hours.” NCT07381972

“A 0,25mm-thick layer of MAL (methyl 5-aminolevulinate, Metvix®) light sensitizer cream is applied on one randomized treatment side of face.” NCT02464709

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is an effective first-line treatment for actinic keratosis (AK).” NCT02248298

“Investigator applied a thin layer of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) hydrochloride 16.8% cream to each lesion during treatment.” NCT04085367

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) is effective in the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK).” NCT02976727

“Patients apply methyl-5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride (MAL) cream on the lesions and the surrounding normal skin.” NCT01292668

“Photocure ASA has developed a cream formulation containing methyl aminolevulinate (MAL), an ester of ALA.” NCT00833183

“Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is a photosensitizing agent with great affinity for dysplastic cells” NCT03573076

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methylaminolevulinate (MAL) is an innovative treatment modality” NCT02666534

“Topical application of MAL cream (Metvix) containing 160 mg/g methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL).” NCT02799069

“after application of MAL cream (Metvix ®, Galderma, Switzerland) to the treatment area” NCT05522036

“Metvix (methyl aminolevulinate) (MAL), Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), cream, 160 mg/g.” NCT00535080

“photosensitizer-inducing prodrug 5% topical methyl aminolevulinate (MAL)” NCT05676801

“methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) cream” NCT03909646

“Drug: Methyl Aminolevulinate (MAL)” NCT02139618

“Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) PDT” NCT00594425

“Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) PDT” NCT00673933

NCT03325803

NCT03731988

NCT02670655

NCT01893203

Known as Methyl aminolevulinate hcl ChEMBL registry synonym — accepted as the source's own label CHEMBL1096562
Known as Methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride “The primary purpose of this study is to assess recurrence of Actinic Keratosis in participants treated with Methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride (MAL) 16.8 percent (%) cream...” NCT04269395
3

Methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride (MAL) 16.8% cream (CD06809-41) versus vehicle cream in the treatment of thin and moderately thick, non-hyperkeratotic, non-pigmented...” NCT04085367

“Participants received Metvix-PDT (methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride-Photodynamic therapy) 160 milligrams per gram (mg/g) cream on face and/or scalp for 3 hours on Day 0 and Day 7.” NCT00304239

“METHYLAMINOLEVULINATE HYDROCHLORIDE (MAL)cream 160mg/g. Intervention: Just one application of the product in the actinic keratosis lesions before the photodynamic therapy” NCT02647151

Known as methyl-5-aminolaevulinate “Hexyl-5-aminolaevulinate 0·2% vs. methyl-5-aminolaevulinate 16% daylight photodynamic therapy for treatment of actinic keratoses: results of a randomized double-blinded pilot trial.” PMID 26011755 Nov 2015
1

“BACKGROUND: Daylight photodynamic therapy (DL-PDT) with methyl-5-aminolaevulinate (MAL) is an effective treatment for mild and moderate actinic keratosis (AK).” PMID 30329163 Jan 2019

Known as methyl-5-aminolevulinate ClinicalTrials.gov intervention name — accepted as the source's own label NCT01292668
1

NCT02464709

Known as methyl-5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride “Patients apply methyl-5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride (MAL) cream on the lesions and the surrounding normal skin.” NCT01292668
Known as methyl-aminolaevulinate “PDT with methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL) is an attractive treatment option for BD with large or multiple patches, and poor healing sites can be treated with good efficacy, low...” NCT01912976
5

“The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of two photosensitizers, methyl-aminolaevulinate (MAL) and 5-aminolaevulinic nanoemulsion (BF-200 ALA) in the treatment of...” NCT01893203

“After curretage a light-sensitizer (methyl aminolaevulinate cream) was applied on the lesions and covered with an occlusive plastic foil for 2-3-h incubation.” NCT05456334

“Methyl aminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) is advantageous in that it has few cosmetic side effects and minimises patient discomfort.” NCT02198469

NCT02149342

NCT03511326

Known as Metil 5-aminolevulinate ClinicalTrials.gov intervention name — accepted as the source's own label NCT03990636
Known as Metvix “After an absorption time of approximately 15 minutes and before applying MAL (Metvix®), the surface of the AK lesions will be prepared gently with a curette or a scalpel to...” NCT02736760
16

“Immediately after the AFL, a 1-mm thick layer of methyl-aminolevulinate (16% Metvix® cream; PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and to 5 mm of the...” NCT03320447

“Immediately after AFL treatment, an approximately 1- mm-thick layer of MAL (Metvix, PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and on 5 mm of surrounding normal tissue.” NCT02976727

“Immediately after AFL treatment, an approximately 1- mm-thick layer of MAL (Metvix, PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and on 5 mm of surrounding normal tissue.” NCT03731988

“Immediately after AFL treatment, an approximately 1- mm-thick layer of MAL (Metvix, PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and on 5 mm of surrounding normal tissue.” NCT03325803

“Immediately after AFL treatment, an approximately 1-mm-thick layer of MAL (Metvix, PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and on 5 mm of surrounding normal tissue.” NCT02670655

“a 1-mm thick layer of methyl-aminolevulinate (16% Metvix® cream; PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and to 5 mm of the surrounding healthy tissue” NCT02666534

“a 1-mm thick layer of MAL (16% Metvix® cream, PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion and to 5 mm of surrounding healthy tissue.” NCT01912976

“A 0,25mm-thick layer of MAL (methyl 5-aminolevulinate, Metvix®) light sensitizer cream is applied on one randomized treatment side of face.” NCT02464709

“The present test drug, Metvix®, contained the methyl ester of ALA, which penetrated the lesions well and shows high lesion selectivity .” NCT00472043

“an approximately 1-mm thick layer of MAL (Metvix, PhotoCure ASA, Oslo, Norway) was applied to the lesion” NCT02248298

“after application of MAL cream (Metvix ®, Galderma, Switzerland) to the treatment area” NCT05522036

Metvix (methyl aminolevulinate) (MAL), Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), cream, 160 mg/g.” NCT00535080

NCT02373371

NCT00473343

NCT00437320

NCT00472108

Known as Metvix R “application of methyl aminolevulinate cream (Metvix R, Galderma Laboratories)” NCT03013647
Known as Metvixia “Evaluation of the Ability of PpIX Fluorescence to Mark High-grade Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia Following the Methyl Aminolevulinate (Metvixia®) Application” NCT05104099
2

NCT02511145

NCT02392390

Known as P-1202 ChEMBL registry synonym — accepted as the source's own label CHEMBL1096562
Modality Small molecule CHEMBL1096562
Route Topical “This study will explore topical application of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) and hexaminolevulinate (HAL) of the cervix for photodynamic therapy using red light (630 nm).” NCT00369018