hexaminolevulinate-hcl

Description: Hexaminolevulinate HCl (also known as hexyl 5-aminolevulinate) is the hexyl ester of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) with photodynamic properties, and has been approved as a fluorescent agent for cystoscopic detection of papillary bladder cancer. As a precursor of photoactive porphorins, hexyl 5-aminolevulinate induces the endogenous production of the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) which accumulates selectively in tumor tissue. When exposed to specific wavelengths of light, PPIX is activated and, depending on the wavelength and/or intensity of light, either fluoresces, thereby allowing tumor imaging, or induces tumor cell apoptosis.

References: BJU Int. 2016 Jun; 117(6B):E102-13.