[Oral lichen planus. Insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutic options]

Oral lichen planus is a common, chronic mucosal disease associated with T-cell-mediated immunological dysfunction. The disease is classified in a painful red form with erosions and ulcerations and a less painful to painless white form with reticular, papular and plaque lesions. In a small proportion of cases, the lesions may develop into a squamous cell carcinoma. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of the therapy; the combination of systemic and topical corticosteroids is often very effective. Topical calcineurin inhibitors, especially tacrolimus, have produced long-term responses in clinical studies. We describe a patient with excellent response to therapy with tacrolimus mouthrinse and systemic corticosteroids.