Premium
Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in severe mucocutaneous lichen planus: a retrospective review of 10 patients
Author(s) -
Wee J.S.,
Shirlaw P.J.,
Challacombe S.J.,
Setterfield J.F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10882.x
Subject(s) - mycophenolate , mucocutaneous zone , medicine , dermatology , retrospective cohort study , surgery , transplantation , disease
Summary Background Ulcerative lichen planus is an uncommon and severe subtype of lichen planus primarily affecting the oral mucosal surfaces. It may be associated with significant morbidity and often requires immunosuppressive therapy to achieve disease control. There have been no previous reports in which objective outcome measures have been used to assess the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in severe ulcerative lichen planus. Objective To evaluate the clinical responses of patients with severe ulcerative oral lichen planus who were treated with MMF at a tertiary oral medicine/dermatology centre. Methods This was a retrospective review of oral disease severity scores performed in 10 patients with recalcitrant ulcerative oral lichen planus (vulvovaginal–gingival, n = 8; penogingival, n = 1; oral, n = 1) before and after treatment with MMF therapy. The results were analysed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed‐rank test. Results The mean duration of MMF treatment was 3·7 (SD ± 2·4) years with a mean follow‐up of 4·2 (SD ± 2·7) years. The mean baseline oral disease severity scores (39·1 ± 11·9) improved by 40% after 12–15 months (24·3 ± 11·9, n = 8, P = 0·01) and by 43% after 21–24 months of MMF treatment (22·2 ± 10·4, n = 9, P = 0·01). Of the 10 patients, six achieved remission, one had well‐controlled disease and three had partially controlled disease. Two patients who achieved remission successfully discontinued treatment. MMF was well tolerated in all patients. Conclusion Our case series demonstrates the efficacy and favourable side‐effect profile of MMF in the treatment of severe ulcerative lichen planus.