Topical cyclosporine in oral lichen planus

In order to evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporin in oral lichen planus, we have enrolled 12 patents, three males and nine females (age 45-69 years; mean age: 57 years). All patients were affected by lichen planus of oral mucose membrane; lichen planus was erosive in eight patients, reticulated in four. The disease was present from at least three years without a complete remission; other therapeutic regimens (corticosteroids, retinoids) were ended in failure. All these patients were symptomatic with various degrees of pain, burning and disability. Each patient had received cyclosporin in a formulation studied for systemic administration, containing 100 mg/ml (Sandimmun) as a mouthwash for eight weeks. The patients swished for five minutes and expectorated 5 ml of medication three times daily.