title: Treatment of severe lichen planus with mycophenolate mofetil.
abstract: Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory skin disorder with a wide range of clinical appearances. The treatment of disseminated and especially erosive forms of LP is often difficult and disappointing. Activated T cells are important in the pathogenesis of LP as indicated by the dermal lymphocytic infiltrate leading to keratinocyte destruction and lesion formation. Similar histologic findings are present in graft-versus-host disease. Since T cells are key players in the development of both disorders and mycophenolate mofetil has been successfully introduced in the treatment of graft-versus-host disease, we have examined the therapeutic potential of this agent in 3 patients suffering from disseminated and erosive LP. Mycophenolate mofetil was well tolerated and induced complete remission in 2 patients, and substantial improvement in the third patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Strasse 58, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Frieling
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonsmann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Luger
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beissert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid