Oral lichen planus: a preliminary clinical study on treatment with tazarotene.
OBJECTIVE
The rationale for using tazarotene in oral lichen planus (OLP) is its regulatory action on the growth and differentiation of keratinocytes and on inflammation. This randomized, placebo-controlled study addresses evaluation of the effects of topic tazarotene in the treatment of OLP.


METHODS
The degree of lesions before and after treatment scored by a 6-score scale in six cases treated with tazarotene was statistically compared with those of six controls treated with placebo.


METHODS
Twelve patients with hyperkeratosic OLP were randomly allocated to treatment with tazarotene gel 0.1% b.i.d. or with placebo for eight consecutive weeks.


METHODS
The statistical comparison was executed by means of Wilcoxon analysis for paired data.


RESULTS
Patients treated with tazarotene presented a significant reduction of their lesions as compared with the control group. Among transitory side-effects, burning sensation and taste abnormalities were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical tazarotene may be a valuable therapeutic tool in the treatment of hyperkeratotic OLP.
Petruzzi
M
M
Department of Odontostomatology and Surgery, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. petruzmf@tin.it
De Benedittis
M
M
Grassi
R
R
Cassano
N
N
Vena
G
G
Serpico
R
R
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009539:Nicotinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D012074:Remission Induction; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005782:Gels; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D009539:Nicotinic Acids; D010919:Placebos; D012176:Retinoids; C086827:tazarotene