Oral lichenplanus: Etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Oral Lichen Planus: A Narrative Review Navigating Etiologies, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnostics, and Therapeutic Approaches

Background/Objectives: Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a common immune-mediated inflammatory disorder affecting the oral mucosa, impacting 0.5% to 2% of the global population, primarily middle-aged women. Immunological dysregulation is a key factor in OLP's pathogenesis, involving CD4+ T helper and CD8+ T cytotoxic cells. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies OLP as a potentially malignant disorder, with a risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) developing in up to 2% of lesions. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic strategies for OLP, informing clinical practice and guiding future research. Methods: A review of the literature from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to December 2023, focusing on studies addressing the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of OLP. Results: OLP's pathogenesis is driven by immune dysregulation, with CD4+ and CD8+ cells playing crucial roles. Clinically, OLP presents as reticular, erosive, bullous, and plaque-like lesions. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, histopathology, and direct immunofluorescence. Recent advancements in diagnostic markers and imaging techniques have improved detection and monitoring. Treatment primarily involves corticosteroids, but novel therapies such as curcumin, retinoids, and laser therapy are increasingly used for their effectiveness and reduced side effects. These treatments show promise in symptom reduction and recurrence prevention, although long-term data are needed. Conclusions: Regular screenings and biopsies are essential due to OLP's likelihood of malignant transformation. This study urges further investigation into long-term results, improved diagnostic techniques, and evidence-based treatment regimens.

Salivary Histamine Levels in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus Lesions

Background and Objectives: An oral lichen planus (OLP) chronic lesion refers to a group of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) that still lack a proper understanding from the point of view of relevant biomarkers for diagnostics and prognosis. The aim of the study was to assess the salivary histamine levels in patients with oral lichen planus lesions. Materials and Methods: The study included a group of 76 patients with oral lichen planus. General diseases and medication taken, smoking habits, severity of pain assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), oral hygiene status, and duration of OLP were evaluated. ELISA diagnostics for histamines in saliva levels were assessed. Results: The histamine levels in the OLP group were higher (0.468) in comparison with the control group (0.056), without a statistically significant value p = 0.090 (Mann-Whitney U Test). The median age of 76 OLP patients was 63 years (min 22.0-max. 81), with the biological sex being 80.3% females and 15 19.7% males. The average duration of OLP lesion presence was 29.4 months (SD 37.1) and the median value was 14.5 months. The median of the VAS was 3.0. OLP assessment in accordance with the Malhotra methodology showed the highest frequency-30.3% for only two of the point areas involved and 17.1% for three points. Clinical assessment of the different OLP grades, severity, and oral site involvement and the VAS in correlation with histamine salivary levels showed a lack of statistical significance in the investigated population. Conclusions: Undertaking further research could provide further possibilities for searching for general factors in OLP development.

Oral Lichen Planus and Its Therapeutic Approaches: A Case Report

Lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, presents with pruritic, polygonal, and flat-topped papules and plaques. It encompasses not only the skin but also mucous membranes, nails, and hair follicles. Diagnosis relies on all the clinical and biopsy reports. The etiology of oral lichen planus (OLP) is multifactorial, with genetic, immunological, and environmental factors playing significant roles. Frequently utilized therapies encompass topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and systemic immunomodulatory medications. Management should be tailored to disease severity and the specific site of involvement. Lichen planus can present in papular, hypertrophic, atrophic, erosive, or erythematous forms. In this report, we present a case of a 28-year-old male patient who presented with bilateral white striations on the buccal mucosa and an erythematous lesion on the right buccal mucosa causing significant discomfort. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, resulting in marked symptomatic relief and partial lesion regression over a follow-up period of six months. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and tailored therapeutic strategies in managing OLP to improve patient outcomes.

A New Scoring System of Oral Lichen Planus

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorder increasingly becoming common in the general population with female predominance. Clinically, there are different forms of lichen planus with the presence of the main characteristic feature of Wickham striae. Literature, to date, is abundant with various scoring systems of oral lichen planus, and among them, the most commonly followed scoring system was the one proposed by the Thongprasom system because of its simplicity and ease of application.

Aim

The aim of the present study is to critically review all the disease scoring systems on oral lichen planus (OLP) that have been reported in the literature during the past decades. A systematic literature search was performed using PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE Library with language restriction to English. The search was carried out incorporating the published literature from 1980 to 2020 using the MeSH (medical subject heading) terms. A literature search was done using keywords: Staging, Grading, Oral lichen planus, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic. Out of 25 publications, related to search strategy, 22 full articles, which were related to the disease scoring system for oral lichen planus, were acquired for further inspection. Out of the 22 articles, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. The data was collected and a brief summary of the studies regarding the different disease scoring systems for oral lichen planus was explained. Taking into consideration, the parameters were not included in the previous disease scoring system. A new proposal encompassing a scoring system for oral lichen planus considering the missing parameters along with an amalgamation of histopathological criteria of dysplasia is presented. It also proposes to grade and stage the lesions and recommend appropriate therapy for each of such lesions.

Systemic non-steroidal immunomodulators for oral lichen planus treatment-a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of systemic nonsteroidal immunomodulators (SNSI) for oral lichen planus (OLP) treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines and registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021243524). Consulted databases were Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria was as follows: clinical trials, case series, prospective, and retrospective studies conducted with participants presenting OLP of any sex and age.

RESULTS

Thirty-two studies were selected, assessing 9 different SNSI: methotrexate, dapsone, levamisole, hydroxychloroquine, thalidomide, metronidazole, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and colchicine. Methotrexate and dapsone were the drugs with the best evidence among the options included, regarding number and quality of studies. Methotrexate resulted in significant improvement in the clinical condition and remission of symptoms, ranging between 63 and 93% of cases. Dapsone presented a similar effect to the use of topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus CONCLUSION: Among SNSI therapeutic options, methotrexate, and dapsone showed promising efficacy and safety. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials are still needed.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

SNSI have been used in the treatment of recalcitrant OLP; however, so far, it is not clear which are the best options. This scoping review highlights the potential use of methotrexate and dapsone.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Topical Steroid Therapy Combination Regimen With Routine Topical Steroid Therapy in the Management of Oral Lichen Planus Symptomatic Patients

BACKGROUND

For symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP), a wide range of therapeutic approaches have been suggested. To minimize discomfort and symptoms among individuals with symptomatic OLP, extensive therapy is frequently needed. Therefore, finding a new therapeutic approach that may effectively manage OLP's symptoms and signs while having few adverse effects continues to be a difficult task. Recently, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has become a popular alternative therapy option for OLP with no serious side effects.

AIM

The present research was designed to compare the effectiveness of a combination regimen of LLLT in addition to topical steroids with routine topical steroid therapy separately in order to manage patients with bothersome OLP with an extended period of follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In our trial, 60 patients were chosen and given sequential numbers as they signed up to take part. The participants were divided randomly into two categories: category A (LLLT plus topical steroids) and category B (only topical steroids). The data were entered into the aforementioned prepared case template after receiving informed consent. The aforementioned prepared case template included the following criteria for evaluating the result of the treatment: pain, recurrence, burning sensation, clinical remission, and size of the lesion. Applying the visual analog scale (VAS), pain, as well as burning sensations, were assessed in both categories. With the aid of the Electronic Digital Vernier Caliper (Mitutoyo, China), these individuals were assessed for the dimension of the lesion.

RESULTS

The pain score on day 21 of intervention in category A was 2.5, while it was 4.63 in category B. The difference in findings was significant statistically at day 21 (p = 0.0032). The pain score on day 28 of intervention in category A was 1.3, while it was 3.0 in category B. The difference in findings was significant statistically at day 28 (p = 0.003). The pain score was greater in the control category as compared to the intervention category. The burning sensation score on day 21 of intervention in category A was 2.5, while it was 4.5 in category B. The difference in findings was significant statistically (p = 0.0024). The burning sensation score at the follow-up phase on day 45 of intervention in category A was 1.1, while it was 3.4 in category B. The difference in findings was significant statistically (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Newer therapeutic techniques are becoming accessible to oral specialists for controlling oral mucosal disorders as a result of evolving dental trends. The gold standard for treating people with symptomatic OLP continues to be topical corticosteroids. The therapeutic advantages of topical corticosteroids, however, are considerably outweighed by their complementary effect when paired with newer treatment methods like LLLT.

Single-cell immune profiling reveals immune responses in oral lichen planus

Introduction

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa with an unclear etiology. Several types of immune cells are involved in the pathogenesis of OLP.

Methods

We used single-cell RNA sequencing and immune repertoire sequencing to characterize the mucosal immune microenvironment of OLP. The presence of tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells are validated by multiplex immunofluorescence.

Results

We generated a transcriptome atlas from four OLP biopsy samples and their paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and compared them with two healthy tissues and three healthy PBMCs samples. Our analysis revealed activated tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells in OLP tissues. T cell receptor repertoires displayed apperant clonal expansion and preferrential gene pairing in OLP patients. Additionally, obvious BCR clonal expansion was observed in OLP lesions. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, a subtype that can promote dendritic cell maturation and enhance lymphocyte cytotoxicity, were identified in OLP. Conventional dendritic cells and macrophages are also found to exhibit pro-inflammatory activity in OLP. Cell-cell communication analysis reveals that fibroblasts might promote the recruitment and extravasation of immune cells into connective tissue.

Discussion

Our study provides insights into the immune ecosystem of OLP, serving as a valuable resource for precision diagnosis and therapy of OLP.