Eduardo Liberato da Silva1, Taiane Berguemaier de Lima1, Pantelis Varvaki Rados1, Fernanda Visioli2,3. 1. Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine Department, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. 2. Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine Department, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. fernanda.visioli@ufrgs.br. 3. Experimental Center Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-903, Brazil. fernanda.visioli@ufrgs.br.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical non-steroidal immunomodulators (TNSIs) for oral lichen planus (OLP) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search strategy designed for this purpose retrieved 1156 references. After analysis of titles and abstracts, 75 studies were selected for full-text analysis. Only randomized controlled clinical trials were selected, resulting in 28 studies included for qualitative and quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed similar benefits in clinical response and symptom resolution between tacrolimus 0.1% and pimecrolimus 1% in comparison to topical steroids (TS). Pimecrolimus showed superior efficacy of clinical response but not for symptom resolution compared to placebo. Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus showed better performance preventing symptom relapse, while pimecrolimus also prevented clinical relapse better than TS. Cyclosporine was superior to placebo; however, TS showed better efficacy of clinical response. Thalidomide and retinoid were assessed in only one trial each, and both showed similar efficacy to TS. Rapamycin also presented similar clinical response to TS; however, the later showed greater reduction of symptoms. Mycophenolate mofetil 2% mucoadhesive was no better than placebo. No serious adverse effects have been reported. Cyclosporine showed a higher frequency and variety of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are safe and effective alternatives for OLP treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TS are usually the first choice for OLP treatment. Because some oral lesions may have a low response to treatment with TS, more topical therapeutic options, such as TNSIs, should be considered before systemic steroids are used.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical non-steroidal immunomodulators (TNSIs) for oral lichen planus (OLP) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search strategy designed for this purpose retrieved 1156 references. After analysis of titles and abstracts, 75 studies were selected for full-text analysis. Only randomized controlled clinical trials were selected, resulting in 28 studies included for qualitative and quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed similar benefits in clinical response and symptom resolution between tacrolimus 0.1% and pimecrolimus 1% in comparison to topical steroids (TS). Pimecrolimus showed superior efficacy of clinical response but not for symptom resolution compared to placebo. Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus showed better performance preventing symptom relapse, while pimecrolimus also prevented clinical relapse better than TS. Cyclosporine was superior to placebo; however, TS showed better efficacy of clinical response. Thalidomide and retinoid were assessed in only one trial each, and both showed similar efficacy to TS. Rapamycin also presented similar clinical response to TS; however, the later showed greater reduction of symptoms. Mycophenolate mofetil 2% mucoadhesive was no better than placebo. No serious adverse effects have been reported. Cyclosporine showed a higher frequency and variety of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are safe and effective alternatives for OLP treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TS are usually the first choice for OLP treatment. Because some oral lesions may have a low response to treatment with TS, more topical therapeutic options, such as TNSIs, should be considered before systemic steroids are used.