Recent Updates
Recently added Catalysts

5-Amino Levulinic Acid

Phase 2

Oral Cancer | Small molecule | Oncology |National Healthcare Corp.|Last Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Success Probability

Subscribe to view

Market & Valuation

Subscribe to view

Trial Design

UNCONTROLLEDDMCBiomarker
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment65

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

5-Amino Levulinic Acid · 1 trial · 5 indications

Phase 2 1
NCT06876038Low-cost Screening and Image-guided Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) of Premalignant and Malignant Oral LesionsOral Cancer
NOT YET_RECRUITING65 Analytics
PHASE2NOT YET_RECRUITING
Low-cost Screening and Image-guided Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) of Premalignant and Malignant Oral Lesions
Oral CancerUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Efficacy of 5-ALA based PDT to treat HGD-OPML
3 weeks after PDT treatment

The response will be clinically evaluated three weeks after PDT treatment. It will be defined as complete, partial, stable or progressive disease by modified RECIST criteria.

Unlock Study Endpoints

Study Design & Arms

AllocationNA
MaskingNONE
ModelSINGLE_GROUP
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of image guided photodynamic therapy to manage HGD-OPMLEXPERIMENTALThe participants will take 5-ALA in oral solution (20 mg/kg BW 5-ALA HCl) 2 to 4 hours prior to undergoing image guided SITOS based PDT treatment. PDT treatment will use a total light dose of 100 J/cm\^2 of 635 nm light (red light) delivered from a laser at an irradiance of approximately 50 mW/cm\^2 at the tissue surface. Participants will be admitted for 48 hours to monitor toxicity profile evaluation. The lesion response will be evaluated and the PDT treatment will be repeated, if required, once in every 3 weeks with a maximum of up to three sessions. The clinical responses will be evaluated during the clinical visits. If the patient shows complete clinical response in less than three sessions of PDT, the PDT will be stopped and the patients will be followed up every 3 months, for one year. If there is lack of complete response or relapse of the lesions during the follow up, the patients will be advised to undergo surgical excision.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
5-Amino Levulinic AcidDRUG5-ALA (Gleolan) orally (20 mg/kg BW 5-ALA HCl) 2 to 4 hours prior to undergoing image-guided SITOS-based PDT treatment
Unlock Study Design Details

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 65 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites2

Subject Inclusion Criteria 1. One grossly visible OPML, with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of moderate, severe, and carcinoma in situ measuring ≥ 10 mm in diameter. 2. Willing and available for follow-up for at least one year and at prerequisite time intervals. 3. All patients above the a...

Countries:India
Unlock Eligibility Criteria

Frequently asked questions about 5-Amino Levulinic Acid

What is 5-Amino Levulinic Acid used for?

5-Amino Levulinic Acid is an investigational small molecule being studied for use in oral cancer, including premalignant and malignant oral lesions. It is being evaluated as a low-cost screening tool and for image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) of conditions such as oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

What does 5-Amino Levulinic Acid target?

5-Amino Levulinic Acid is a photosensitizing agent used in photodynamic therapy. It is a precursor that leads to the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX in target cells, which, when activated by light, produces reactive oxygen species to destroy abnormal cells. This mechanism is being studied for imaging and treating oral lesions.

Who is developing 5-Amino Levulinic Acid?

5-Amino Levulinic Acid is being developed by National Healthcare Corp. (ticker: NHC). The company is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the drug for oral cancer screening and photodynamic therapy.

What phase is 5-Amino Levulinic Acid in?

5-Amino Levulinic Acid is in Phase 2 clinical development. It is an investigational drug and has not been approved by regulatory authorities. The ongoing trial is a single-arm, uncontrolled study that is not yet recruiting participants.

What clinical trials is 5-Amino Levulinic Acid in?

5-Amino Levulinic Acid is being studied in one Phase 2 trial, NCT06876038, titled 'Low-cost Screening and Image-guided Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) of Premalignant and Malignant Oral Lesions.' The trial, enrolling 65 participants in India, is not yet recruiting and is open to adults aged 18 and older.