title: Topical retinoids in oral lichen planus treatment: an overview.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP) is a major challenge for clinicians and patients. There is limited scientific evidence about topical treatment with retinoids. We conducted a literature review of data on the effectiveness and safety of topical retinoids in OLP patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles on topical retinoids treatment on OLP patients (searches from 1970 to February 2012).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen studies (280 OLP patients topically treated with different classes of retinoids) met the inclusion criteria. Isotretinoin was the most frequently employed retinoid in the treatment of OLP. The clinical and/or histopathological efficacy of retinoids was recorded in the majority of the selected studies. A transient and moderate burning sensation was the most frequently reported side effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical retinoids appear as an alternative choice in OLP treatment. Whether keratotic OLP better responds to topical retinoids than erosive OLP is still an open question that deserves further comparative and controlled clinical trials. The benefits and harms of using topical retinoids in people with OLP require thorough evaluation in properly designed controlled studies.
authors.affiliation: Dental Clinic, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy. massimo.petruzzi@uniba.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petruzzi
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucchese
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lajolo
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campus
authors.forename: Dorina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lauritano
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serpico
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D015474:Isotretinoin