Imiquimod 5% cream for isolated lichen planus of the lip

Abstract Lichen planus (LP) of the lips is a rare condition that is generally associated with other parts of the oral mucosa. Lip localization has an increased risk, since external trauma, smoking and ultraviolet light trigger malignant transformation. Only a few cases of isolated LP of the lips hav...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of dermatological treatment 2011-02, Vol.22 (1), p.55-59
Main Authors: Gencoglan, Gulsum, nanir, sil, Sahin, Onder, Gunduz, Kamer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Topical
Adult
Aged
Aminoquinolines - administration & dosage
Aminoquinolines - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Dermatology
Humans
imiquimod
Interferon Inducers - administration & dosage
Interferon Inducers - therapeutic use
lichen planus
Lichen Planus, Oral - drug therapy
Lichen Planus, Oral - pathology
Lip Diseases - drug therapy
Lip Diseases - pathology
lips
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Psoriasis. Parapsoriasis. Lichen
Th1/Th2 cells
therapy
toll-like receptors
topical treatment
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Lichen planus (LP) of the lips is a rare condition that is generally associated with other parts of the oral mucosa. Lip localization has an increased risk, since external trauma, smoking and ultraviolet light trigger malignant transformation. Only a few cases of isolated LP of the lips have been reported up to now, but results of larger series on oral LP suggest that it might be underestimated. Treatment of oral LP is usually difficult and lesions are generally resistant or recur, so that novel therapy alternatives are necessary. Here we report four cases of isolated LP of the lip successfully treated with imiquimod 5% cream. It was applied twice daily, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. Two weeks after therapy, complete clinical and histopathological resolution was observed. No recurrence was observed during the 5, 10 and 18 months' follow-up period in cases 4, 3 and 1, respectively. Clinical and histopathological cure was also observed in case 2, but the patient showed clinical activation after 6 months. We suggest that imiquimod 5% cream is a safe and effective therapeutic treatment for oral LP.
ISSN:0954-6634
1471-1753
DOI:10.3109/09546630903456367