Wellbeing of Women

2005 Grants

The vulval interface dermatoses lichen planus and lichen sclerosus: does autoimmunity to collagen XVII contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Professor Fenella Wojnarowska, Dr Graham Ogg and Dr Mark Charnock, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital and Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford £47,209 over 2 years

LAY TITLE: A study looking at cells and antibodies that could attack the skin in the vulval diseases lichen sclerosus and lichen planus

Research into the causes of lichen planus and lichen sclerosus, common skin disorders that affect the genital area, has received little attention. There is such uncertainty concerning the cause of these conditions that there is no rationale for treatment. It has also been shown that some women with these conditions may go on to develop vulval cancer.

The recent evidence that lichen sclerosus and lichen planus are associated with the presence of antibodies to the basement membrane zone (adhesion region) of the skin suggests that these are autoimmune diseases. This study seeks to explore this aspect, and relate the antibodies to the clinical features, including the risk of cancer, and also undertake new work to determine if certain white blood cells (lymphocytes) are attacking the skin.

This research may lead to diagnostic tests for lichen planus and lichen sclerosus, perhaps making distressing vulval biopsies unnecessary. The demonstration that they are autoimmune diseases should lead to consideration of the new biological and immune response modifying drugs (including topical therapies) as new treatments.

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