Selective accumulation of PpIX and photodynamic effect after aminolevulinic acid treatment of human adenomyosis xenografts in nude mice

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on human adenomyosis xenografts in a mouse model. DESIGN: Human adenomyosis tissues were implanted SC into nude mice. We measured 5-aminolevulinic acid pharmacokinetics in these mice by analyzing tissue sections 1 to 6 hours after intraperitoneal administration. Twenty-four hours after photodynamic therapy, we evaluated tissue morphologic features. SETTING: Department of obstetrics and gynecology at a university hospital in Japan. PATIENT(S): Immunodeficient mice. Tissue grafts were taken from women with adenomyosis attending a university hospital. INTERVENTION(S): Photodynamic treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Peak fluorescence after intraperitoneal ALA administration and tissue histological changes 24 hours after photodynamic therapy. RESULT(S): Peak fluorescence was observed 3 hours after intraperitoneal administration. Histological studies revealed decreased numbers of epithelial and stromal cells in adenomyosis models after therapy. CONCLUSION(S): Photodynamic therapy with ALA caused extensive cell death in human adenomyosis tissues implanted into nude mice. Photodynamic treatment using ALA is a potential treatment for patients with adenomyosis uteri.