title: Oral erosive/ulcerative lichen planus: preliminary findings in an open trial of sulodexide compared with cyclosporine (ciclosporin) therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of the heparinoid sulodexide systemically, compared with topical cyclosporine (ciclosporin), on chronic oral erosive/ulcerative lichen planus.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open nonrandomized trial was conducted in two groups of 10 Italian patients with lichen planus, with subjective assessment of pain and assessment of ulceration amelioration by nonblinded clinicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparable pain relief and amelioration of erosions/ulcers were seen in patients on sulodexide and in those on ciclosporin, but with faster healing in those on sulodexide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sulodexide appears to be as effective, and perhaps more effective, than topical ciclosporin in the therapy of oral lichen planus, and is less expensive, but full double-blind placebo-controlled studies are required.
authors.affiliation: Stomatology Clinic, University of Medicine and Surgery, Naples, Italy. femiano@libero.it
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Femiano
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gombos
authors.forename: Crispian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C007858:glucuronyl glucosamine glycan sulfate; D016572:Cyclosporine