Photodynamic therapy for dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus: a prospective, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial

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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment in which cell damage is achieved by the action of light on a photosensitising agent. We have assessed the potential use of PDT in the ablation of Barrett's oesophagus. METHODS Thirty six patients with dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus receiving acid suppression medication with omeprazole were randomised to receive oral 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) 30 mg/kg or placebo, followed four hours later by laser endoscopy. Follow up endoscopy was performed at one, six, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS Of 18 patients in the ALA group, a response was seen in 16 (median decrease in area in the treated region 30%; range 0–60%). In the placebo group, a decrease in area of 10% was observed in two patients with no change in 16 (median 0%; range 0–10%; treatment vplacebo, pCONCLUSIONS This is the first randomised controlled trial of PDT for Barrett's oesophagus. It demonstrates that ALA induced PDT can provide safe and effective ablation of low grade dysplastic epithelium.