Aminolevulinic acid

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-010031",
  "term": "Aminolevulinic acid",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definition": "A topically administered metabolic precursor of protoporphyrin IX. After topical administration, aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is converted to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) which is a photosensitizer. When the proper wavelength of light activates protoporphyrin IX, singlet oxygen is produced, resulting in a local cytotoxic effect.",
  "abbreviation": "5-ALA",
  "synonyms": [
    "amino-levulinic acid",
    "5-aminolaevulinic acid",
    "delta-aminolevulinic acid",
    "delta aminolevulinic acid",
    "5-aminolevulinic acid"
  ],
  "references": [
    "National Cancer Institute Thesaurus"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/aminolevulinic-acid/"
}