Definition

An intravenous formulation of aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a metabolic precursor of the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), with potential antineoplastic activity upon magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS). Upon intravenous administration of SONALA-001, ALA readily crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB) and accumulates intracellularly, where ALA is metabolized to the photosensitizer PpIX by enzymes in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Due to the distinct activity of these enzymes in tumor cells, there is a higher accumulation of PpIX in tumor cells. Upon MRgFUS, the energy of ultrasound produces light (sonoluminescence) within the brain and activates PpIX in tumor cells. Ultrasound-activated PpIX catalyzes molecular oxygen to singlet oxygen, an intracellular toxin, which can further react to form superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. This leads to cellular cytotoxic effects.