Lichen Planus (Lichen Ruber Planus)

An inflammatory, pruritic disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which can be either generalized or localized. It is characterized by distinctive purplish, flat-topped papules having a predilection for the trunk and flexor surfaces. The lesions may be discrete or coalesce to form plaques. Histologically, there is a "saw-tooth" pattern of epidermal hyperplasia and vacuolar alteration of the basal layer of the epidermis along with an intense upper dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of T-cells. Etiology is unknown.

Also Known As:

Networked: 2026 relevant articles (157 outcomes, 211 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Psoriasis (Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris)
2.	Atopic Dermatitis (Atopic Eczema)
3.	Vitiligo
4.	Pyoderma Gangrenosum
5.	Dermatitis

Experts

1.	Ruzicka, Thomas: 8 articles (12/2020 - 07/2003)
2.	Parodi, Aurora: 6 articles (12/2021 - 08/2002)
3.	Fischer, Gayle: 5 articles (08/2022 - 11/2008)
4.	Wolf, Ronald: 5 articles (01/2022 - 11/2013)
5.	Cozzani, Emanuele: 5 articles (12/2021 - 06/2007)
6.	Hashimoto, Takashi: 5 articles (04/2021 - 01/2012)
7.	Tosti, Antonella: 5 articles (03/2021 - 01/2005)
8.	Asilian, Ali: 5 articles (09/2020 - 06/2010)
9.	Wojnarowska, F: 5 articles (06/2010 - 03/2004)
10.	Saber, Mina: 4 articles (09/2022 - 01/2017)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Lichen Planus:

1.	Tacrolimus (Prograf)FDA LinkGeneric 11/01/2020 - "Lichen planus actinicus treated successfully with topical tacrolimus 0.1%: A report of six cases." 06/01/2004 - "Topical tacrolimus has been reported to be an effective treatment for genital lichen planus in small case series. " 05/01/2021 - "Efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus in long-term management of erosive lichen planus." 05/01/2017 - "Systemic tacrolimus in the treatment of recalcitrant mucosal lichen planus." 08/01/2016 - "Oral tacrolimus: a treatment option for recalcitrant erosive lichen planus."
2.	Adrenal Cortex Hormones (Corticosteroids)IBA 10/01/2020 - "Topical ultrapotent corticosteroids are most commonly used as first-line treatment of genital lichen planus. " 03/01/2007 - "A systematic review of clinical trials showed that particularly topical corticosteroids are often effective in the management of symptomatic OLP lichen planus. " 09/01/2017 - "Although no treatment is necessary for a benign asymptomatic case, in case of erosive lichen planus, topical corticosteroids form the mainstay of treatment. " 03/01/2006 - "Topical ultrapotent corticosteroid is an effective treatment for erosive lichen planus of the vulva, giving relief of symptoms in 71%. " 08/01/2001 - "Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was effective in curing typical nail lichen planus. "
3.	SteroidsIBA 11/01/1992 - "Shortly after wards an atrophic lichen planus developed exclusively within the skin graft, which was effectively treated with topical steroid cream. " 04/01/2023 - "The aim of the study is to determine intraoperative and postoperative surgical outcomes for the treatment of vulvovaginal agglutination secondary to lichen planus (LP) following a standard protocol using intraoperative dilator placement and postoperative intravaginal steroid use. " 06/01/1990 - "This study was designed to investigate the absorption of a topical steroid applied to the gingiva and buccal mucosa of patients with erosive lichen planus and to healthy control patients. " 03/01/2022 - "The histological examination of a biopsy taken from the lesion showed hypergranulosis, sawtooth rete ridges, band-like inflammatory infiltrate, confirming the diagnosis of lichen planus and was treated with topical steroids. " 04/01/2020 - "The combination of TCA and topical steroids offers a good alternative for the treatment of hypertrophic lichen planus."
4.	Cyclosporine (Ciclosporin)FDA LinkGeneric 10/01/2003 - "Oral cyclosporine has been successful in treating severe and refractory lichen planus of the skin, and has produced sustained remission in some patients. " 04/15/1993 - "The other patient, in whom lichen planus was recently diagnosed, responded favorably to topical cyclosporine. " 08/01/1995 - "This study investigated the effectiveness of a low-dose cyclosporine rinse used in the treatment of oral erosive lichen planus. " 04/01/1995 - "Topical cyclosporine in the treatment of oral and vulvar erosive lichen planus: a blood level monitoring study." 01/01/1992 - "Based on clinical data on the local treatment of recalcitrant erosive lichen planus (LP) with ciclosporin (CS) we discuss in vitro and in vivo studies on percutaneous absorption of CS, drug localization and drug metabolism in the skin as well as clinical data. "
5.	Thalidomide (Thalomid)FDA Link 01/01/2005 - "Currently, no clinical trials or studies exist to evaluate the efficacy of using thalidomide to treat lichen planus, but case reports have been published in the medical literature supporting its therapeutic benefits. " 12/01/2000 - "Effective treatment of oral erosive lichen planus with thalidomide." 12/01/2002 - "Thalidomide-induced remission of lichen planopilaris." 06/01/2020 - "Case of erythrodermic lichen planus successful treated with thalidomide monotherapy." 01/01/2019 - "Low dose thalidomide monotherapy for the treatment of recalcitrant erosive lichen planus."
6.	Tretinoin (Retinoic Acid)FDA LinkGeneric 10/01/1975 - "In these investigations involving 68 patients suffering from palmar/plantar hyperkeratoses of different etiology, small doses of vitamin A acid locally applied, produced a striking improvement in hypertrophic lichen planus of palms or soles: the regression was complete and in most cases permanent. " 07/15/1975 - "In these investigations involving 68 patients suffering from palmar/plantar hyperkeratoses of different etiology, small doses of vitamin A acid (retinoic acid) topically applied, produced a striking improvement in hypertrophic lichen planus of palms or soles: the regression was complete and in most cases permanent. " 01/01/1996 - "Efficacy of oral low-dose tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) in lichen planus." 01/15/1975 - "The patients with papular lichen planus improved rapidly to systemic vitamin A acid administration. " 01/01/1996 - "Confirm the beneficial effect of low doses of oral tretinoin in lichen planus. "
7.	DapsoneFDA Link 01/01/1986 - "A 74-year-old woman with a chronic, severe, erosive lichen planus on the tongue, buccal mucosa and toes was treated successfully with dapsone. " 05/01/1989 - "Efficacy of Dapsone in Lichen Planus." 03/01/1985 - "Efficacy of dapsone in lichen planus." 10/01/2002 - "We report a case of generalized lichen planus in a nine-year-old boy with oral mucosa and nail involvement who was treated with dapsone." 10/01/2002 - "Generalized lichen planus in childhood: is dapsone an effective treatment modality?"
8.	Methotrexate (Mexate)FDA LinkGeneric 01/01/2018 - "Methotrexate has been found to be effective in extensive cutaneous lichen planus. " 03/01/2013 - "In this study, we prospectively evaluated the role of low-dose oral methotrexate (15 mg/week in adults or 0.25 mg/kg/week for children) in generalized lichen planus. " 07/01/2023 - "Methotrexate in Lichen Planus Pemphigoides - A Case Report and Review of the Literature." 08/01/2020 - "Methotrexate as a treatment of palmoplantar lichen planus." 01/01/2020 - "Methotrexate for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Erosive Lichen Planus of the Vulva."
9.	RetinoidsIBA 01/01/1996 - "Retinoids were shown to be effective in the treatment of both oral and cutaneous forms of lichen planus. " 01/01/1978 - "The efficacy of a new retinoid (Ro 10-9359) in lichen planus." 11/01/2014 - "Efficacy of oral retinoids in treatment-resistant lichen planopilaris." 09/01/1993 - "Although the use of retinoids for lichen planus of the nails remains only a suggested method of treatment, a positive trial should be attempted, since this disorder sometimes results in severe nail damage." 05/01/2022 - "Verrucous Lichen Planus: A Peculiar Presentation with Excellent Response to Systemic Retinoids."
10.	Ointments (Pastes)IBA 01/01/1976 - "Betamethasone-I7, 2I-dipropionate ointment: an effective topical preparation in lichen ruber planus." 12/01/2012 - "Tacrolimus ointment has shown efficacy in treating T-cell-mediated inflammatory oral mucosal diseases, including lichen planus. " 02/01/1999 - "We report on six patients with severe recalcitrant erosive mucosal lichen planus who benefited from topical application of tacrolimus ointment. " 04/01/1984 - "During clinical studies, the ointment vehicle as well as a tretinoin (vitamin A acid) preparation for the treatment of lichen planus did not cause any local irritation or systemic side effects. " 01/01/1983 - "During the clinical studies the pure ointment as well as a tretinoin-preparation for a lichen planus treatment showed no local irritation, good mucosal adhesion and suitable way of application for the patients."

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 11/01/2018 - "Management of patients with lichen planopilaris is difficult due to a paucity of high-quality data on its epidemiology and pathogenesis and the efficacy of therapies. " 08/01/2018 - "Plantar ulcerative lichen planus: rapid improvement with a novel triple-therapy approach." 11/01/1999 - "Generalised and bullous lichen planus treated successfully with oral mini-pulse therapy." 11/01/2007 - "Thus, even generalized lichen planus lesions can be effectively cleared without systemic therapies, which can be potentially associated with serious side effects, especially in children." 01/01/1989 - "When evaluated in five patients with lichen planus resistant to conventional therapy, these compacts produce a slight clinical improvement in three subjects. "
2.	Photopheresis 02/01/2020 - "[Efficacy of photopheresis in the treatment of erosive lichen planus: A retrospective study]." 02/01/2020 - "Herein we report retrospective efficacy data for extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in the treatment of erosive lichen planus in 11 patients. " 08/01/2011 - "Recalcitrant severe erosive cutaneous lichen planus treated with extracorporeal photopheresis monotherapy." 03/01/2010 - "Effectiveness of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in the treatment of a case of refractory erosive lichen planus." 03/01/2008 - "These two cases, together with 23 other cases reported elsewhere, strongly suggested the value of photopheresis in the treatment of erosive lichen planus. "
3.	Photochemotherapy (Photodynamic Therapy) 12/01/2022 - "Photodynamic therapy in uncommon forms of lichen planus." 12/01/2018 - "Successful treatment of penile condyloma acuminata accompanied with lichen planus with photodynamic therapy." 11/01/2015 - "Vulvovaginal photodynamic therapy for genital erosive lichen planus." 10/01/1999 - "Treatment of lichen planus of the penis with photodynamic therapy." 04/01/1997 - "[Photochemotherapy in the treatment of oral erosive lichen planus. "
4.	Phototherapy (Light Therapy) 07/01/2019 - "In this study, we present the results corresponding to 10 patients with generalized lichen planus treated with narrowband UV-B phototherapy. " 11/01/2020 - "Pediatric case of lichen planus pigmentosus inversus successfully treated with narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapy." 05/01/2009 - "Narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy in lichen planus." 01/01/2005 - "We retrospectively studied the dossiers of patients suffering from disseminated cutaneous lichen planus, treated with narrow band phototherapy in the Phototherapy Unit of the University hospital in Montpellier, from May to November of the year 2001. " 01/01/2005 - "[Narrow band UVB phototherapy in the treatment of widespread lichen planus]."
5.	Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy) 01/01/2003 - "Increase of electrokinetic activity of epitheliocytes after local drug therapy for lichen planus clinically manifests by epithelialization of erosions, which recommends this test for predicting the course and outcome of lichen planus." 08/01/2001 - "A 47-year-old female treated with an autologous bone marrow transplant and cytotoxic chemotherapy developed a lichen planus-like eruption 12 months later. " 09/06/2022 - "Oral lichenoid lesion in association with chemotherapy treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma or lichen planus? " 08/01/2021 - "Eruptive lichen planus-like keratoses induced during R-CHOP 21 chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell (gastric) lymphoma." 11/01/1980 - "Clinical evolution after surgical removal of the tumor, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy was favorable, with great improvement of the lichen planus and the asthma. "