Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain

Korean Academy of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine (대한안면통증구강내과학회)
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Latest Pathophysiology of Oral Lichen Planus: A Narrative Review

  • Kun-Hwa Kang (Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Ji-Rak Kim (Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Jae-Kwang Jung (Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Jin-Seok Byun (Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University)
  • Received : 2025.06.09
  • Accepted : 2025.06.12
  • Published : 2025.06.30
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Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune-mediated mucocutaneous disease that affects 0.5% to 2% of the world's population. One to three percent of OLP patients progress to oral squamous cell carcinoma, and patients experience symptoms such as pain, burning, and discomfort, which can significantly affect their quality of life. Recent research on the pathophysiology of OLP has focused on understanding the immune mechanisms that contribute to the onset and progression of the disease. OLP is a classic model of chronic inflammatory disease, and studying its pathophysiology is crucial to understanding the complex mechanisms of immune dysregulation, microbiota alterations, and malignant transformation. The purpose of this review is to review recent findings on the pathogenesis of OLP, with a particular focus on the involvement of the immune system and genetic predisposition to the disease. Recently, key pathways such as the Th17/IL-23 axis, p53 signaling, and microbe-host interactions have been identified, providing new understanding of disease progression and malignant transformation. Despite these insights, further research is needed to develop targeted therapies that minimize the potential for carcinogenesis while unraveling the underlying mechanisms of OLP. Understanding these pathways will not only improve diagnostic accuracy but also open the way to personalized therapeutic strategies for managing this chronic disease.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) RS-2023–00208416.

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