Is Lichen Planus A Precancerous Lesion?

to look critically at OLP particularly those associated with dysplastic changes.  To localize the immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) and finally to localize Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in OLP with or without  epithelial dysplasia to predict the potentiality of its malignant transformation. 

Method:

42 cases of OLP were collected from oral pathology and maxillofacial departments. Faculty  of Dentistry. University of Alexandria. Sections were stained with H & E for diagnosis, incubated in monoclonal CEA antibody (Cat.#MS-613, Thermo Fisher Scientific Fermont,CA94538,USA) as well as normal swine serum, anti-human IgG , IgM and IgA antibodies using PAP technique (According to the manufactures’ instructions).

Result:

histopathologically,2 cases showed frank invasion, and 3 displayed early invasion.  The rest of cases had different degrees of dysplasia. Immunoglobulins  IgG,  IgM and IgA as well as CEA antibodies  were detected in all cases of OLP with epithelial dysplasia with varying degrees of intensity and distribution.

Conclusion:

The presence of the immunoglobuluns IgG, IgM, IgA and CEA antibodies and their distribution pattern in the dysplastic epithelium of OLP may aid in understanding the biological behavior of certain cells that undergo differentiation to premalignant or neoplastic cells. This will help in accurate diagnosis and, in turn, a definite line of treatment will be easily achieved.