Short course of oral cyclosporine in lichen planopilaris

Lichen planopilaris is a rare inflammatory disorder of unclear etiology that causes permanent scalp hair loss. Current treatments for lichen planopilaris are limited and do not alter the eventual outcome of the disease. Oral cyclosporine has been successful in treating severe and refractory lichen planus of the skin, and has produced sustained remission in some patients. We present 3 patients with lichen planopilaris who were treated with a short course of oral cyclosporine and report their clinical features and responses, using a standardized method of patient assessment and 3 specific outcome measures. In all 3 patients alleviation of symptoms, resolution of clinical activity, and halting progression of hair loss was achieved in 3 to 5 months with sustained effect at 12 months after a short course of cyclosporine therapy.