140898-91-5

Hexaminolevulinate is a lipophilic, hexyl ester prodrug form of 5-aminolevulinic acid. It produces equivalent protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) induction in WiDr and NHIK 3025 carcinoma cells at concentrations approximately 100-fold lower than 5-aminolevulinic acid. Hexaminolevulinate administration followed by light activation has been used for fluorescence cystoscopy to enhance detection of bladder cancer, in particular carcinoma in situ (CIS).

Diagnostic agent for the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Hexaminolevulinate (HAL) hydrochloride is a hexyl ester of 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)a precursor to porphyrins including the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PPIX). Hexaminolevulinate is more lipophilic than ALAand is 50–100 times more efficient than ALA at inducing PpIXwhich accumulates preferentially in neoplastic cells. Hexaminolevulinate administration followed by light activation has been used for fluorescence cystoscopy to enhance detection of bladder cancerin particular carcinoma in situ (CIS). Hexaminolevulinate is also being studied for use in cancer photodynamic therapy. Hexaminolevulinate followed by irradiation produced DNA oxidative damage and apoptosis.