The present invention provides an acid addition salt of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or of a 5-ALA derivative (e.g. a 5-ALA ester) with an acid which has a pKa of about 5 or less, preferably about 3 or less, with the proviso that the acid is other than hydrochloric acid. Particularly preferred salts are those derived from acids selected from the group comprising sulphonic acid and its derivatives, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The salts in accordance with the invention are particularly suitable for use as photosensitizing agents in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body.
本发明提供了
5-氨基乙酰丙酸(
5-ALA)或
5-ALA衍
生物(如
5-ALA酯)与pKa约为5或更小,最好约为3或更小的酸的酸加成盐,但条件是该酸不是
盐酸。特别优选的盐是从
磺酸及其衍
生物、
氢溴酸、
硫酸、
硝酸和
磷酸中选出的酸衍生而来的盐。符合本发明的盐类特别适合用作光敏剂,用于诊断和光
化学疗法,治疗身体外部或内部表面的疾病或异常。