Revisiting the Efficacy of Immunomodulatory Effect of Hydroxychloroquine in Oral Lichen Planus: A Case Series

ABSTRACT

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common inflammatory, autoimmune disorder that affects stratified squamous epithelium. The exact etiopathogenesis of this mucocutaneous disease is still uncertain. Although OLP has been associated with altered Quality of Life and considerable morbidity, with important note for erosive type of OLP, its treatment is often disappointing and controversial. Though corticosteroids remained the first line of treatment for OLP, the associated adverse effects of corticosteroids are not acceptable. Hence, there is a need of drugs with steroid sparing effect. Use of immunomodulators is systemic pathologies is widely encountered. However, their use in oral lesions is not frequently seen. Use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an age-old disease-modifyinganti-rheumatic-drug, has been widely used in various autoimmune diseases; however, it received little attention in treatment of OLP. This article presents a case series of three patients with erosive OLP which were managed with HCQ. The results presented allow the authors to consider systemic HCQ as a newer therapy for atrophicerosive lichen planus.