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.