LICHEN-PLANUS AND CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C - EXACERBATION OF THE LICHEN UNDER INTERFERON-ALPHA-2A THERAPY

A 51-year-old man was treated for histologically proven chronic hepati tis C with 3 MU of recombinant interferon-alpha-2a three times a week. Before interferon therapy, a mild lichen planus (hypertrophic variant ) had been diagnosed, which exacerbated within 6 weeks of treatment to a severe erosive oral form. Then interferon therapy was stopped becau se local measures did not improve oral lesions. However, the patient t olerated interferon therapy well, and the initially four-fold elevated aminotransferase levels returned to normal. Nine weeks after disconti nuation of interferon therapy, nearly all the buccal mucous membrane l esions had disappeared. But 8 weeks after withdrawal of interferon, am inotransferase levels rose again to six times the normal range. Treati ng physicians should know that a pre-existing lichen planus would pote ntially exacerbate, as a side effect of interferon-alpha-2a therapy of chronic hepatitis. However, further observations are needed to decide its clinical relevance.