title: Calcineurin antagonists in vulvar lichen sclerosus.
abstract: Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus is a chronic inflammatory disorder that mainly affects girls of premenarchial age and women in their fifties. Besides the anogenital region, lichen sclerosus (LS) may also affect extragenital or mucosal areas. Symptoms include soreness and pruritus, but other less common symptoms are not rare. An increased activity of fibroblasts causes increased sclerosis of the affected skin. Latest studies have identified LS as a chronic inflammatory dermatosis. Auto-antibodies against the extracellular membrane protein-1 are present in up to 80% of the patients. Moreover, in the widely accepted therapy with potent corticosteroids promising results have been presented using calcineurin antagonists in the treatment of LS. An interdisciplinary management and a continued care of patients with LS will improve the clinical manifestations and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Alfried-Krupp-Hospital, Alfried-Krupp-Str 61, 45131 Essen, Germany. hans-joachim.strittmatter@krupp-krankenhaus.de
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Strittmatter
authors.forename: Ulrich R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Hengge
authors.forename: Sonja R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Blecken
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors