A Systematic Review of the Role of Interleukin Inhibitors in Lichen Planus: Therapeutic and Paradoxical Effects Publisher Pubmed



A Heidari AMIRHOSSEIN ; Ff Fathabadi Fatemeh FADAEI ; K Ghanavati KIMIA ; A Rasouli ASMA ; S Soleimani SANAZ ; N Heidari NAZILA
Source: Inflammopharmacology Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a group of chronic inflammatory disorders of the skin, mucous membranes, scalp, and nails that mainly affect the middle-aged population. Inflammatory modifiers, including interferon-α (IFN-α), IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as various interleukins (ILs), such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23 has also been suggested to contribute in the LP pathogenesis. We aim to systematically evaluate the effect of IL inhibitors on treating and triggering LP disease. Methods: A systematic search was conducted up to January 30th, 2025, in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Ovid-Embase, and clinical studies with available English full-text were included. Results: The search recorded 196 relevant studies, with 42 articles eligible for this study. IL-inhibitors, including dupilumab, secukinumab, anakinra, tildrakizumab, guselkumab, ustekinumab, ixekizumab, risankizumab, and brodalumab were associated with clinical improvement in various types of LP. In contrast, in some cases with a coexistent autoimmune disease, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, secukinumab, dupilumab, risankizumab, ustekinumab, and ixekizumab administration resulted in LP development. Conclusion: IL inhibitors demonstrate both treatment and paradoxical effects on LP. Further research is needed to elucidate the impact of these agents on the pathophysiology of LP. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.