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Anti‐angiogenic therapy (bevacizumab) in the management of oral lichen planus
Author(s) -
Mahmoud Maha M.,
Afifi Marwa M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/eos.12251
Subject(s) - medicine , bevacizumab , oral lichen planus , triamcinolone acetonide , vascular endothelial growth factor , mucocutaneous zone , lesion , angiogenesis , immunohistochemistry , dermatology , pathology , gastroenterology , surgery , disease , chemotherapy , vegf receptors
Oral lichen planus ( OLP ), a mucocutaneous chronic inflammatory disease, is conventionally managed using topical corticosteroid therapy. Given the fact that OLP is strongly linked to angiogenesis, anti‐angiogenic drugs, such as bevacizumab, might be introduced as an alternative treatment for contraindicated, non‐responsive patients. The aim of the present study was to report the short‐term effectiveness and safety of intralesional bevacizumab injection in the management of atrophic/erosive OLP . A case series study was conducted in patients with atrophic/erosive OLP in the buccal mucosa, assigned to receive either 2.5 mg of bevacizumab, by intralesional injection ( n = 20, test), or topical 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide ointment ( n = 20, control). The size, score, and pain intensity of the lesions were assessed pre‐ and post‐treatment. Tissue biopsies were collected for histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural examination. After 1 wk, the test group had significant reductions both in lesion seize and in pain scores compared with controls. A marked decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ) and interleukin‐8 immunoexpression was noted in tissue biopsies from bevacizumab‐treated lesions compared with control lesions. Furthermore, ultrastructural examination of OLP tissue specimens revealed significant healing signs associated with bevacizumab treatment. Short‐term data suggest that intralesional bevacizumab injection effectively and safely achieved resolution of atrophic/erosive OLP lesions without disease exacerbations during a 3‐month follow‐up period.