Methylaminolevulinate is a prodrug that can be metabolized to Protoporphyrin IX. Methylaminolevulinate is an agent used as a sensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT).
CP94, an iron chelator, enhances protoporphyrin IX photobleaching and reduces the viability of A431 squamous epithelial carcinoma cells at a 150 µM concentration with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using protoporphyrin IX precursors such as aminolevulinic acid (ALA), methylaminolevulinate (MAL), or hexylaminolevulinate (HAL). Additionally, CP94 (2 mg ml in drinking water) lowers hepatic non-heme and ferritin-bound iron levels while increasing hepatic protoporphyrin levels in mice. It also counteracts ferrocene-induced rises in rat brain iron levels at a dosage of 100 mg kg.