Enhanced Outcomes in Actinic Keratosis with LED-Based Photodynamic Therapy: Insights from a 2025 Randomized Clinical Trial
LED Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology: A New Standard for Actinic Keratosis?
Actinic keratosis (AK) remains one of the most prevalent precancerous skin conditions, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as solid organ transplant recipients. A recent 2025 randomized clinical trial by Oteiza-Rius et al., published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, offers compelling evidence that combining LED light with daylight photodynamic therapy (dPDT) significantly improves therapeutic outcomes in these high-risk patients.
Study Highlights:
Design: Intra-patient, randomized, prospective study
Population: Solid organ transplant recipients with multiple AK lesions
Treatment: BF-200 ALA gel applied, followed by a combination of LED red light and daylight exposure
Outcome Measures: Lesion clearance, tolerability, and cosmetic outcome at 12 weeks
Key Findings:
Higher efficacy was observed in the LED + daylight PDT group, with superior lesion clearance rates compared to daylight PDT alone.
Patients experienced mild discomfort and minimal side effects, reinforcing the non-invasive, safe profile of the therapy.
The study suggests that LED-assisted PDT offers better control over illumination parameters, potentially making it more reliable in regions with variable natural sunlight.
Clinical Implications:
For dermatologists treating AK, especially in sensitive or immunocompromised populations, the integration of controlled LED photodynamic therapy provides a promising therapeutic alternative. It maintains the painless, non-invasive profile of daylight PDT, while offering enhanced precision and outcomes.
This landmark study positions LED-PDT not only as a technologically advanced approach but also as a clinically superior modality that supports long-term skin health.
📖 Reference:
Oteiza-Rius I, et al. Combination of LED illumination and daylight photodynamic therapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis in solid organ transplant recipients: A prospective, randomized, comparative, intra‑patient study. 2025.
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