Oral leukoplakia: open trial of topical therapy with calcipotriol comparedwith tretinoin

The aim of the current study was to evaluate, in an open trial, the clinica l efficacy of topical calcipotriol compared with tretinoin in the therapy o f hyperkeratotic oral lesions (leukoplakia). The study group consisted of 4 0 patients with histologically proven oral leukoplakias, 20 treated with ca lcipotriol, the other 20 with tretinoin. The treatment was for 5 weeks and follow-up at 4 months., with clinical assessments at 2, 4 and 5 weeks and r egular laboratory assessments. The results showed a significant reduction i n lesions (80%), in both calcipotriol and tretinoin groups, with no documen ted topical or systemic adverse reactions, results maintained at 4 months. Tretinoin however, potentially can induce erythema, angular cheilitis and x erostomia. The study suggests that topical calcipotriol is as effective in the therapy of oral leukoplakia as is topical tretinoin.