Tacrolimus Versus Clobetasol Propionate in the Treatment of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Deana Funaro

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 2

Conditions

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Treatments

Drug: Tacrolimus cream

Drug: Clobetasol cream

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00757874

StJustineH

Details and patient eligibility

About

Lichen Sclerosus is an inflammatory skin condition affecting mostly the genital area of persons of all ages, gender or race. The most frequent complaint is that of itchiness of the vulva but pain may also occur. Some women will experience no symptoms at all. However, it is important to treat this condition since it may increase and cause important scarring and deformity. In less than 5% of cases, cancer may develop.

Lichen Sclerosus is a chronic disease which can be controlled but not cured. Topical corticosteroids are the usual treatment for this condition. Though this treatment is generally well tolerated, some patients may not present a sufficient response or may develop mainly local and rarely systemic side effects. In this perspective, an alternative treatment would be beneficial.

Tacrolimus, a topical immunomodulator has been approved for the treatment of atopic eczema and has shown its efficacy in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus in a limited number of patients. Tacrolimus acts as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAI) without causing the usual side effects seen with the prolonged use of topical corticosteroids.

This study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus in treating vulvar lichen sclerosus by comparing it with the standard topical corticosteroid treatment.

Enrollment

56 patients

Sex

Female

Ages

2+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Female, 2 years or older
Medical diagnosis of vulvar lichen sclerosus
Received no treatment during the last 4 weeks

Exclusion criteria

Who have received topical steroids, tacrolimus or pimecrolimus during the 4 last weeks.
Who are immunocompromised
Who have history of intra-epithelial neoplasia or anogenital carcinoma
Who have active vulvar infections (herpes,condylomas,vaginitis)
Who are hypersensitive to tacrolimus, pimecrolimus or corticosteroids
Who have physical limitations that cause difficulty in applying the cream
Who wear diapers
Who present Hyperkeratotic Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus