Open-label trial of cyclosporine for vulvar lichen sclerosus.
BACKGROUND
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of skin and mucosal surfaces which is generally difficult to treat.


OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the efficacy of oral cyclosporine in refractory vulvar LS.


METHODS
Five patients with refractory vulvar LS were treated with oral cyclosporine (3-4 mg/kg/d) for 3 months. They were followed up on a monthly basis.


RESULTS
At the end of the treatment, the mean total symptom score regressed significantly and clinical findings such as erythema and erosion showed marked improvement. Mild adverse effects were seen in 3 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The patients did not give consent to rebiopsy at the end of the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Moderate dose of oral cyclosporine could be an effective alternative in the treatment of refractory vulvar LS.
Bulbul Baskan
Emel
E
Uludag University Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Gorukle 16059, Bursa, Turkey. bbemel@uludag.edu.tr
Turan
Hakan
H
Tunali
Sukran
S
Toker
Semra Cikman
SC
Saricaoglu
Hayriye
H
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002990:Clobetasol