Clinical and Immunohistochemical Effect of Topical Pimecrolimus in Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic disease characterized by periods of remission and relapse. Therapeutic objectives for OLP should be to quickly reduce disease symptoms by targeting pathophysiological pathways, and to provide long-term management by reducing recurrences. Pimecrolimus is a novel topical selective inflammatory cytokine release inhibitor; considering its mechanism of action it is reasonable to theorize that pimecrolimus may effectively treat OLP without the potential side effects that are associated with corticosteroids.