The role of oral fluid biological markers in the clinical course of lichen planus

Relevance. The pathogenetic mechanisms, which initiate oral mucosa cancer in patients with lichen planus, have not been entirely studied yet. However, endogenous factors, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), can be crucial in malignization. The study aimed to analyze the levels of MMP-8, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio in the oral fluid of patients with various forms of lichen planus. Materials and methods. We examined and treated 24 women, aged 35-70 years old, with reticular (14 patients) and atrophic (10 patients) oral lichen planus. The study determined the concentration of biological markers MMP-8 and TIMP-1 in the oral fluid before and after the treatment. The local treatment consisted of anti-inflammatory therapy with antiseptic solutions as oral baths with an exposure of 1 minute, application of vitamin A and E oil solutions on the gauze for 15-20 minutes, immune-corrective therapy was applied. We followed up with the patients at the diagnostic stage, after 14 days of treatment and 3 months later. Results. The study revealed statistically significant differences in the ratio of MMP-8 and TIMP-1 levels in the oral fluid of lichen planus patients compared to the controls (p = 0.006). 11 patients exhibited an increase of MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio in comparison with the ratio maximum in control (p = 0.006). Conclusion. To assess the course of the disease in patients with various forms of oral lichen planus, the clinicians should evaluate the concentration ratio of biological markers MMP-8/ TIMP-1 in the mixed saliva. Clinicians should monitor the changes in the level of MMP-8/TIMP-1 in the oral fluid at least once every three months.