Matrix Metalloproteinases Neutralizing Agents: A Possible Treatment Modality for Oral Lichen Planus (Preliminary Study)

Abstract Background: Oral lichen planus is one of the most prevalent oral diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases have been implicated in its pathogenesis thus this study was executed to evaluate the effectiveness of matrix metalloproteinases neutralizing agents in the treatment of oral lichen planus. Methods: Patients were assigned to either control group who received topical corticosteroids and antifungal treatment, or test group who received matrix metalloproteinases neutralizing spray. All patients were evaluated for disease severity and pain at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks after treatment. Results: The mean pain score in test and control groups was 9.00 (0.89), and 9.33 (0.82), respectively, at baseline while it was 2.33 (1.75) and 2.83 (1.72) at 4th week follow up. The mean disease severity score was 4.33 (0.52) for test group and 4.50 (0.55) for control group at baseline and decreased to 1.83 (0.75) and 2.17 (0.98) at 4th week follow up. Despite the better results seen in test group on the expense of control group, no statistically significant differences could be detected between groups at any timepoint. Conclusion: The use of matrix metalloproteinases neutralizing agents might be an equally effective sole treatment for erosive oral lichen planus compared to the conventional treatment, without the risk of secondary candidiasis. Trial registration: The study was registered retrospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04336488), date (07/04/2020)