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: 1278 relevant articles (85 outcomes, 140 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

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

Experts

1.	Ruzicka, Thomas: 5 articles (11/2014 - 07/2003)
2.	Wojnarowska, F: 5 articles (06/2010 - 03/2004)
3.	Parodi, Aurora: 4 articles (09/2008 - 08/2002)
4.	Goh, Chee Leok: 3 articles (09/2014 - 06/2004)
5.	Siadat, Amir Hossein: 3 articles (01/2013 - 06/2010)
6.	Iraji, Fariba: 3 articles (01/2013 - 06/2010)
7.	Asilian, Ali: 3 articles (01/2013 - 06/2010)
8.	Hashimoto, Takashi: 3 articles (01/2013 - 01/2012)
9.	Ebrahimi, Majid: 3 articles (10/2012 - 07/2010)
10.	Nylander, Elisabet: 3 articles (10/2012 - 07/2010)

Drugs and Biologics

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

1.	Tacrolimus (Prograf)FDA LinkGeneric 06/01/2004 - "Topical tacrolimus has been reported to be an effective treatment for genital lichen planus in small case series. " 12/01/2012 - "Tacrolimus ointment has shown efficacy in treating T-cell-mediated inflammatory oral mucosal diseases, including lichen planus. " 06/01/2004 - "In this retrospective series of 16 women with vulvar lichen planus, topical tacrolimus therapy effectively controlled symptoms and improved lesions in all but 1 patient. " 02/01/1999 - "We report on six patients with severe recalcitrant erosive mucosal lichen planus who benefited from topical application of tacrolimus ointment. " 06/01/2011 - "[Ulcerative lichen planus of the sole treated with tacrolimus, 0.1%]."
2.	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. "
3.	Adrenal Cortex Hormones (Corticosteroids)IBA 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. " 08/01/2001 - "Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was effective in curing typical nail lichen planus. " 12/01/2011 - "In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy of NBUVB versus systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of the lichen planus. " 12/01/2011 - "Although the efficacy of narrowband UVB (NBUVB) for treatment of lichen planus has been shown, no randomized clinical trial has compared NBUVB versus systemic corticosteroids for treatment of the disease. " 01/01/2015 - "For the management of erosive lichen planus, long-term use of topical corticosteroids is an effective approach. "
4.	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." 01/01/2009 - "Treatment of cutaneous lichen planus with thalidomide." 11/01/1996 - "Erosive lichen planus: dramatic response to thalidomide." 01/01/1987 - "[Generalized lichen planus with erosive lesions of the penis, treated with thalidomide. "
5.	Enoxaparin (Lovenox)FDA LinkGeneric 06/01/2001 - "Enoxaparin may be an effective treatment for patients with lichen planus." 12/01/1999 - "The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose enoxaparin administered subcutaneously in lichen planus (LP). " 01/01/2011 - "The successful treatment of palmoplantar hyperkeratotic lichen planus with enoxaparin." 04/01/1998 - "Low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin) is beneficial in lichen planus: a preliminary report." 01/01/2013 - "The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of subcutaneous enoxaparin versus oral prednisone (as a standard treatment) in patients with disseminated lichen planus. "
6.	Griseofulvin (Grifulvin V)FDA LinkGeneric 01/01/1981 - "This study indicates that further prospective studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of griseofulvin in lichen planus." 12/01/1990 - "The purpose of this study was to establish the effectiveness of griseofulvin therapy on erosive lichen planus and to provide an alternative to steroid therapy. " 01/01/1980 - "In a double-blind trial on 44 patients having lichen planus, 500 mg griseofulvin-FP daily for 8 weeks produced significantly better results compared to a placebo. " 12/01/1990 - "Treating erosive lichen planus with griseofulvin: a report of four cases." 07/01/1987 - "[Treatment of oral erosive lichen planus with griseofulvin]."
7.	Betamethasone (Celestone)FDA Link 03/01/2007 - "The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment of generalized cutaneous lichen planus using dipropionate and betamethasone disodium phosphate. " 03/01/2007 - "The study results suggest that dipropionate and betamethasone disodium phosphate may constitute an alternative therapeutic approach in generalized cutaneous lichen planus. " 03/01/2007 - "[Treatment of generalized cutaneous lichen planus with dipropionate and betamethasone disodium phosphate: an open study of 73 cases]." 03/01/2005 - "Acute generalized lichen planus treated with weekly betamethasone 5-mg oral mini-pulse therapy." 01/01/2000 - "Betamethasone on two consecutive days in a week as oral mini pulse therapy may be a safe, effective and a better therapeutic alternative for the treatment of lichen planus."
8.	AntigensIBA 02/01/1983 - "Studies reported here demonstrate a lichen planus specific antigen (LPSA) in granular and deep prickle epithelial cells from the lichen planus lesion. " 06/01/1978 - "Lichen planus: study with anti-human T lymphocyte antigen (anti-HTLA) serum on frozen tissue sections." 01/01/2012 - "Detection of varicella-zoster virus antigens in lesional skin of zosteriform lichen planus but not in that of linear lichen planus." 09/01/2006 - "A specific fluorescence pattern corresponding to the distribution of lichen planus specific antigen was observed in the stratum spinosum and granulosum in 22 (88%) patients. " 09/01/2006 - "Cytotoxic CD8+ cells in the lesional epidermis recognize a unique antigen called lichen planus specific antigen. "
9.	AntibodiesIBA 08/01/1997 - "It seems likely therefore that such antibodies do not play an important part in the etiopathogenesis of lichen planus, and their detection is unlikely to be beneficial in the diagnosis of this disease." 10/01/2012 - "This study aimed to emphasize the importance of seeing mucosal lichen planus (LP) as a systemic disease and not an isolated oral or genital disease and to analyze the proportion of thyroid antibodies among patients with multimucosal LP. " 09/01/2005 - "The objective of this study was to investigate whether circulating basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies are present in erosive lichen planus (LP) of the vulva. " 11/01/2010 - "Lichen planus pemphigoides: detection of anti-BP 180 antibodies by ELISA and immunoblotting tests." 07/01/2010 - "The use of a novel ELISA method for detection of antibodies against p63 in sera from patients diagnosed with oral and/or genital and skin lichen planus."
10.	pimecrolimus (Elidel)FDA Link 04/01/2007 - "The 1% pimecrolimus cream seems to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for oral erosive lichen planus. " 04/01/2007 - "To evaluate the efficacy of 1% pimecrolimus cream in treating oral erosive lichen planus and to assess its tolerance. " 09/01/2011 - "Pimecrolimus 1% cream for oral erosive lichen planus: a 6-week randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study with a 6-week open-label extension to assess efficacy and safety." 04/01/2007 - "Treatment of oral erosive lichen planus with 1% pimecrolimus cream: a double-blind, randomized, prospective trial with measurement of pimecrolimus levels in the blood." 04/01/2005 - "The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, relative safety, and tolerability of 1% pimecrolimus cream in the treatment of oral erosive lichen planus (OELP). "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Transplants (Transplant) 02/01/2007 - "On a 4-point clinical grade scale (0-3), 12 (60%) transplants showed complete healing grade 3, six (30%) grade 2 and two (10%) grade 1. Using oral mucosal grafts from the palatal mucosa for the treatment of recalcitrant erythematous gingival lichen planus/lichenoid lesions seems to be a promising treatment modality." 11/01/1992 - "Shortly after wards an atrophic lichen planus developed exclusively within the skin graft, which was effectively treated with topical steroid cream. " 05/01/2005 - "The use of acellular dermal graft for vulvovaginal reconstruction in a patient with lichen planus." 01/01/2001 - "We present an unusual case of bullous lichen planus arising in the skin graft donor site of a psoriatic patient. " 01/01/2001 - "Bullous lichen planus arising in the skin graft donor site of a psoriatic patient."
2.	Photopheresis 11/01/2005 - "Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) therapy has been shown effective in GvHD in several publications; only one study addresses its use in chronic erosive lichen planus. " 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. " 03/01/2008 - "We report two cases of chronic oral erosive and corticoresistant lichen planus successfully treated with photopheresis. "
3.	Photochemotherapy (Photodynamic Therapy) 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. " 10/01/1995 - "PUVA-bath photochemotherapy of lichen planus." 07/01/1978 - "Various theories concerning the mode of action of photochemotherapy in lichen planus are discussed in the light of these observations." 07/01/1978 - "Seven patients with diffuse lichen planus were treated with oral photochemotherapy. "
4.	PUVA Therapy 05/01/2003 - "PUVA therapy is reported to be effective in lichen planus. " 01/01/1986 - "[PUVA therapy of lichen ruber planus--a histological study]." 04/01/1980 - "[First experience of PUVA-therapy in lichen ruber planus]." 05/01/1995 - "PUVA therapy has been successfully used in the treatment of severe psoriasis and cutaneous lichen planus. " 01/01/1983 - "[Pemphigoid lichen planus and PUVA therapy]."
5.	Homologous Transplantation (Allograft) 01/01/2002 - "It has also been suggested that topical tacrolimus is useful in the treatment of alopecia areata, erosive lichen planus, isolated ichthyosis linearis circumflexa, steroid-induced rosacea, and in the prevention of allograft rejection, however more clinical trials need to be performed." 04/15/2004 - "Site-specific immunosuppression with topical cyclosporin A (CsA) has broad clinical implications in the treatment of skin disorders like psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, lichen planus, cutaneous graft-versus-host disease and contact hypersensitivity and the temporary treatment of skin allografts on burn wounds. " 01/01/2004 - "Examples of chemokines and chemokine receptors being involved in mediating autoimmune disease exist for rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, and graft-versus-host-disease. "