Oral lichen planus: therapy and phenotype

Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous disease of chronic inflammatory nature. Although many therapeutic options are available, none are curative. The aim of this article was to describe a therapeutic algorithm that take into consideration the clinical futures of oral LP (OLP).

Patients affected by symptomatic OLP were enrolled into three groups to receive cyclosporine mouthwash, retinoic acid lotion 0.05%, and autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel in the treatment of reticular, plaque-like, and erosive-type respectively. The products were applied as follows: retinoic acid BID for 8 weeks, cyclosporine mouthwash OD for 8 weeks, PRP once a week for 8 weeks. Patients were assessed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Improvement was evaluated as complete response, partial response and no response.

A total of 20 Caucasian patients, 8 male and 12 female, mean age 56 years (range 40-74) concluded the study. Seven patients showed a complete response, 7 patients a partial response, and 6 patients no response.

We propose a therapeutic algorithm that take into consideration the clinical features and symptoms of OLP. Long-term experience on larger series of cases are necessary to confirm our data.