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Successful Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus‐Like Chronic Graft‐Versus‐Host Disease With Topical Tacrolimus: A Case Report
Author(s) -
Sánchez Andrés R.,
Sheridan Phillip J.,
Rogers Roy S.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2004.75.4.613
Subject(s) - tacrolimus , medicine , graft versus host disease , dermatology , histology , disease , bone marrow , bone marrow transplant , bone marrow transplantation , immunology , transplantation , pathology , surgery
Background: Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a common treatment used for deficiencies of host marrow or in the control of blood malignancies. Post‐allogeneic BMT complications include graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). GVHD occurs when immunologically active T lymphocytes are transplanted into an immunosuppressed recipient who is genetically disparate from the donor. In this case report we describe the occurrence of oral lichen planus‐like lesions as the first manifestation of chronic GVHD (c‐GVHD) and the subsequent management of this disease with topical tacrolimus . Methods: Diagnostic aids included routine histology and direct immunofluorescence studies to rule out immunobullous diseases and to confirm the c‐GVHD. Treatment consisted of topical application of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment three times a day . Results: Routine histology confirmed the clinical diagnosis of oral lichen planus‐like c‐GVHD. Treatment with tacrolimus ointment completely resolved the oral lesions after 2 months of therapy . Conclusions: Topical tacrolimus at low concentrations (0.1%) shows promise in the management of oral lichen planus‐like c‐GVHD. Controlled studies are necessary to assess the efficacy, the duration of therapy required for effective results, and the safety of this treatment over the long‐term . J Periodontol 2004;75:613‐619.