Abstract
This article systematically reviews the clinical literature on 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for glioblastoma, focusing on intracavitary and interstitial treatment approaches. Across 12 studies involving 621 patients, the authors found that PDT appears technically feasible, biologically rational, and potentially beneficial as a locoregional adjunct, with acceptable overall safety. However, the evidence base is still limited by heterogeneous designs, inconsistent outcome reporting, and small cohorts. The review concludes that 5-ALA-mediated PDT is promising, but larger prospective and standardized studies are needed to define its role in contemporary glioblastoma care.