TELOMERASE ACTIVITY IN ORAL LICHEN-PLANUS

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of telomeras e in refractory oral lichen planus. Using a polymerase chain reaction- based telomerase activity assay, we investigated telomerase activity i n 20 oral lichen planus specimens (erosive 9, atrophic 11). Telomerase activity was detected in 14 cases (erosive 7, atrophic 7). Furthermor e, 13 cases of lichen planus with mild dysplasia proved telomerase-pos itive in eight specimens and six of seven cases devoid of dysplasia we re also positive in the telomerase assay. The data indicate that, in g eneral, telomerase activity might be frequently detectable in OLP. The data also suggest that telomerase activity might not be particularly associated with the premalignant phenotype in OLP.