Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common skin cancer, and its treatment is still difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoparticle (NP)-assisted 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) delivery for topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cutaneous SCC.
Materials and methods: Ultraviolet-induced cutaneous SCCs were established in hairless mice. ALA-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs were prepared and characterized. The kinetics of ALA PLGA NP-induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence in SCCs, therapeutic efficacy of ALA NP-mediated PDT, and immune responses were examined.
Results: PLGA NPs enhanced protoporphyrin IX production in SCC. ALA PLGA NP-mediated topical PDT was more effective than free ALA of the same concentration in treating cutaneous SCC.
Conclusion: PLGA NPs provide a promising strategy for delivering ALA in topical PDT of cutaneous SCC.
Keywords: 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA); cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); microneedling; nanopar-ticles (NPs); photodynamic therapy (PDT); polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA).