Comparison of Two Modes of Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis on the Upper Extremities

This study will be a prospective clinical trial performed in a single center, with 20 adult subjects presenting 4-17 clinically confirmed, mild to moderate AKs according to Olsen grading on each of two comparable treatment fields on the hands and/or arms of the patients. The location and maximal size of the treatment fields should be such that PDT is possible with one illumination with BF-RhodoLED® and Blu-U® in parallel. The number of lesions on the two sides of a patient will not be allowed to differ by more than 50%.

Subjects will be treated on the AMELUZ® side according to the European SmPC with the exception that thea second PDT, if req uired, will be performed after two months (SmPC: three months), and on the LEVULAN® side according to the USPI. Subjects will be randomized as to which upper extremity (i.e. right vs. left) will receive AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride) gel, 10% with its approved light source (BF-RhodoLED® lamp, 635 nm ± 9 nm, Biofrontera, Inc., Wakefield, MA, US) or LEVULAN® KERASTICK® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical solution, 20% with its approved light source (BLU-U® Blue light photodynamic Therapy Illuminator Model 4170, 417 nm ± 5 nm, DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington MA, US).

Following the instructions of the SmPC, all lesions on the AMELUZ® side will be carefully wiped with an ethanol or isopropanol-soaked cotton pad to ensure degreasing of the skin. Scales and crusts will be removed accurately, and all lesion surfaces roughened gently. Care should be taken to avoid bleeding. AMELUZ® will be applied to the lesion area or the entire cancerized fields of about 20 cm2, using glove protected fingertips or a spatula. The gel should cover the lesions or entire fields and approximately 5 mm of the surrounding area with a film of about 1 mm thickness. The entire tube of AMELUZ® will be applied. The gel will be allowed to dry for approximately 10 minutes, before a light-tight dressing is placed over the treatment site. Following 3 hours of incubation, the dressing will be removed and the remnant gel wiped off .

Following the instructions of it's USPI, the LEVULAN® KERASTICK® topical solution is prepared by crushing the glass ampoules and mixing the contents together for at least 30 seconds. Following solution admixture, the cap from the LEVULAN® KERASTICK® applicator will be removed and the dry applicator tip should be dabbed on a gauze pad until uniformly wet with solution. Actinic keratoses targeted for treatment on the LEVULAN side should be clean and dry prior to applying the LEVULAN® KERASTICK® topical solution. The solution will be applied directly to the target lesions by dabbing gently with the wet applicator tip. Enough solution should be applied to uniformly wet the lesion surface, including the edges without excess running or dripping. The upper extremity shall be occluded with low density polyethylene plastic wrap and held in place with an elastic net dressing. The patient should wear a long-sleeved shirt and/or gloves or other protective apparel to shade the treated actinic keratoses from sunlight or other bright light sources until BLU-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator treatment. Photosensitization of the treated lesions will take place for 3 hours. The actinic keratoses should not be washed during this time. The occlusive dressing should be removed prior to light treatment and the treated area(s) gently rinsed with water and patted dry before light illumination.

Following the 3-hour incubation, the AMELUZ® treated side will be exposed to the BF-RhodoLED® lamp for 10 minutes to apply a light dose of 37 J/cm2 at 635 nm ± 9 nm. Simultaneously, the LEVULAN® KERASTICK® treated side will be exposed to the BLU-U® (Blue light photodynamic Therapy Illuminator Model 4170), for 16 minutes and 40 seconds to apply a light dose of approximately 10 J/cm2 at 417 nm ±5 nm.

Immediately following the illumination, subjects will grade the pain they experienced during treatment on a standard 11-point scale (none [0] to severe [10]; Appendix E). Subjects will be advised to avoid direct sunlight without application of sunscreen and exposure to intense lights such as tanning beds and sun lamps for 48 hours post-procedure.

Subjects will be visiting the office 60 days following PDT to assess the treatment areas. PDT will be repeated at this 60-day visit for any actinic keratosis lesions remaining in the treatment area. If a second PDT is performed, the subject will visit the office for the final assessment of the primary part of the study 60 days following the second treatment. Follow-up visits will occur at 6 months and 12 months following the last PDT treatment to determine recurrence rates.

Investigators will perform the following assessments:

1. Complete clearance of treated lesions.
2. Adverse Events (AEs): Post-procedure healing will be documented with investigator-rated standardized scales and assessment of adverse events post-treatment and at each follow-up visit post-treatment (Appendix A). Pain during illumination will be recorded comparing pain on both sides of the patient
3. Questionnaire

Subjects will perform the following self-assessments:

1. Subject Satisfaction: Subjects will assess satisfaction with treatment on a standardized 6-point scale (Appendix B) post-treatment and at each follow-up visit
2. Subject Pain Assessment: Pain during illumination will be assessed on both sides
3. Questionnaire