Platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of lichen sclerosus

INTRODUCTION

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis characterized by ivory-white patches with surface wrinkling due to epidermal atrophy, which may display areas of hemorrhage or scar-like changes. LS commonly affects the anogenital region in males and females [Figures 1 and 2], although extragenital presentations also occur^[1]. It is estimated to occur in 1 in 30 women and 1 in 900 pre-pubertal girls^[2]. The etiology of LS has not yet been elucidated, though it is likely multifactorial and may include autoimmune, genetic, and hormonal causes, including estrogen deficiency^[3,4]. Chronic trauma or irritation may be contributory^[5].

Figure 1. Patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus. (A) Shows a white atrophic patch involving the vulva and perianal skin in a figure-of-eight distribution with epidermal atrophy, agglutination of the bilateral labia minora, and superficial erosions present at the introitus. (B) Shows erythematous to hypopigmented vulvar patches with agglutination. (C) Shows atrophic white and focal erythematous patches without erosion or purpura. (D) Shows a white atrophic patch with minimal erythema in the vulva, agglutination with loss of the labia minora, and scarring of the clitoral hood. (E) Shows confluent erythematous patches involving the labia and the inguinal folds with whitish atrophic areas, minor fissures, and cracks. (F) Shows hypopigmentation in a figure-of-eight distribution involving the vulva and perianal area with scattered areas of hemorrhage. (By permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.).

Figure 2. Patients with penile lichen sclerosus. (A) Shows a hypopigmented, atrophic, slightly geometrically shaped patch involving the ventral penis. There is a purple biopsy mark site present. (B) Shows numerous scattered white atrophic macules coalescing to patches. (C) Shows a white atrophic patch with epidermal wrinkling and hemorrhage on the ventral base of the penis. There is a purple biopsy mark site present. (By permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.).

There is currently no cure for LS. Accepted first-line treatment for LS is daily application of potent topical corticosteroids such as clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment^[6,7]. Long-term topical steroid usage is potentially limited by compliance, side effects including further skin atrophy, steroid tachyphylaxis, and steroid-induced dermatitis^[8]. For topical steroid treatment-resistant LS, alternate topical, intralesional and systemic therapies are utilized, i.e., topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical and systemic retinoids, intralesional corticosteroid injection, systemic immunosuppressants, and phototherapy. However, these second- and third-line therapies can be associated with poor initial response, resistance over time, and/or adverse drug effects. Further investigation regarding the efficacy of these treatments is warranted^[9]. Currently, autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is being explored as a treatment for LS.

Autologous PRP is obtained from the patient’s own blood sample, which is drawn at the time of treatment. The blood draw occurs with the inclusion of an anticoagulant, such as citrate dextrose A, to prevent blood clotting during preparation. The patient’s blood is then centrifuged, and the first spin is performed at constant acceleration to separate red and white blood cells from the remaining whole blood volume. The supernatant plasma containing platelets is then transferred into a sterile tube and again centrifuged at a higher speed, allowing for a concentrated platelet level to form in the lower tube [Figure 3]. The upper third of platelet-poor plasma is then removed, leaving the platelet-rich plasma to be administered^[10]. Platelet-rich plasma contains a high level of growth factors, which are important for regenerative and therapeutic treatment. More specifically, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) stimulate fibroblast proliferation to increase collagen production^[11]. Platelet-rich plasma increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases which modulate remodeling^[11]. Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) have been shown to modulate keratinocyte propagation and migration to thicken the epidermis^[11].

Figure 3. PRP processing. (A) Shows the removal of the upper portion of plasma from each conical tube after centrifugation. (B) Shows the separation of red blood cells, platelet-rich plasma, and platelet-poor plasma following centrifugation. (By permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.). PRP: Platelet-rich plasma.

While PRP was initially used by hematologists in the 1970s as a transfusion treatment for thrombocytopenia, the intrinsic regenerative properties of PRP have broadened its therapeutic use^[12]. In the 1980s, PRP first emerged from a strictly thrombocytopenic treatment to a peri-operative treatment for maxillofacial surgery^[12]. However, PRP has been most extensively studied as a therapy for musculoskeletal injuries, including chronic tendinopathies, acute ligamentous injuries, muscle injuries, osteoarthritis, and bone healing for various types of fractures^[12,13]. Since PRP’s therapeutic inception, it has been utilized in many medical fields, such as dermatology, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, pain management, and plastic surgery^[13]. Specific to dermatological practice, PRP is being explored as a regenerative therapy for a variety of conditions, including wound healing, scar revision, alopecia, and LS^[12]. The aim of this review is to identify, critically assess and synthesize available scientific evidence on the safety and clinical efficacy of PRP for the treatment of LS. To fulfill this aim, we have conducted a review of the scientific literature.

METHODS

An experienced information specialist developed and conducted an extensive search of Ovid MEDLINE® 1946 to Present and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Ovid MEDLINE® Daily, Ovid MEDLINE® Daily Update, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials March 2021, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005 to April 21, 2021, Embase 1974 to 2021 April 21, PubMed 1946 to 2021 April 21, Web of Science 1975 to 2021 April 21, and ClinicalTrials.gov through 2021 April 21 to identify case studies, case series, prospective uncontrolled, and randomized controlled studies published between 1946 and April 21, 2021. The search strategy combined the terms “Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus” OR “lichen sclerosus” OR “lichen scleroses” AND “Platelet-Rich Plasma” OR “platelet rich plasma” OR “thrombocyte-rich plasma” OR “thrombocyte rich plasma”. Works were limited to the English language and excluded animal studies, guidelines, protocols, and review articles. Potentially eligible titles were identified using controlled vocabulary in tandem with keywords. The search strategy was peer-reviewed prior to execution.

RESULTS

The results of the literature search and study selection process are shown in Figure 4. The main characteristics of selected studies are summarized in Table 1. All of them were published in English between 2016 and 2020. Study size was highly variable, ranging from 1 to 94 participant(s). Eight total studies included 6 prospective uncontrolled studies, 1 randomized double-blind prospective study, and 1 case report. Level of evidence ranged from level III to level V. Participants ranged from age 21 to 88 years old. Five studies evaluated only female participants; one study evaluated only male participants; three studies included both female and male participants. Types of LS evaluated include vulvovaginal, vulvar, and penile. Lichen sclerosus diagnosis was established with histopathology (H&E) for 6 studies; histopathology (H&E) combined with colposcopy for 1 study, and not reported for the remaining studies. Four studies evaluated participants who failed prior treatment, including topical steroids, emollients, and/or circumcision.

Figure 4. Flow diagram summarizing literature search, screening, and review. PRP: Platelet-rich plasma.

The source of PRP varied between studies and is summarized in Table 2. PRP spin approach, spin duration, and activator were not reported for the majority of studies; only 1 study reported a double-spin approach, 6- and 12-min spin durations, with calcium chloride as a PRP activator. Four studies reported local anesthesia use prior to PRP application, while the remaining studies did not report if anesthesia was utilized. Seven of the eight studies reported the PRP amount applied per treatment, which ranged from 2-10 mL. One study doubled the volume in the second dose received, while 6 studies maintained the same PRP dose between treatments. One study did not report the PRP amount used. Platelet-rich plasma delivery methods varied between studies but included subdermal and intradermal injections into the affected areas. Of the seven studies that reported the number of treatments, participants received between 2 to 10 total treatments. Six studies reported standard treatment schedules among participants with an average of 2.98 treatments per participant. Follow-up time ranged from 2 to 23.2 months with an average follow-up time of 9.9 months; three studies did not provide follow-up duration.

Six of the eight studies used patient questionnaires to assess the effect of PRP on LS symptom relief and/or quality of life. Three studies found that PRP treatment led to full or partial LS symptom relief. By using validated questionnaires, 3 studies reported that PRP improved patient quality of life. Posey et al.^[19] reported the utilization of a patient questionnaire, but none of the observed outcomes were clinically significant. Following PRP treatment, Behnia-Willison et al.^[14] used colposcopy to evaluate vulvovaginal lesions and reported 28% of LS lesions were completely resolved. Two studies compared pre- and post-treatment histology.

DISCUSSION

Therapies rooted in regenerative medicine, such as PRP, seek to repair damaged tissues and restore normal function via stimulating the body’s own regenerative capacity. Platelet-rich plasma consists of various fundamental proteins, which contribute to wound healing, including PDGF, TGF-β, vascular endothelial growth factor, EGF, and adhesive proteins-fibrin, fibronectin, and vitronectin^[22]. These factors promote angiogenesis, mitogenesis, macrophage activation, vasculogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, and regulation of inflammatory processes^[23].

Previous studies reported that PRP administration improved quality of life, as well as clinical and histological parameters of LS^[23]. However, the quality of the evidence is low. Confidence in the literature is limited due to lack of control and comparison groups, placebo groups, and random assignments. Goldstein et al.^[18] was the only double-blinded controlled study to assess the efficacy of LS, and this study found no benefit of PRP compared to placebo. In addition, the literature is further limited by the lack of standardization of PRP preparation, quantity, concentration, treatment frequency, and delivery method. Continuing, the literature illustrated a wide variety of outcome measurements with no universally accepted intervention that objectively illustrates PRP benefit in the treatment of LS.

Indeed, LS is a debilitating disease that left untreated causes scarring, discomfort, dyspareunia, decreased quality of life, and potentially increases the risk of cancer development. The main goals for the treatment and management of LS are to provide symptomatic relief, minimize urinary and/or sexual dysfunction and prevent malignant transformation^[24]. It has not been proven whether early steroid treatment of LS mitigates the risk of malignant transformation, although a recent retrospective review of 301 male patients treated with topical steroids found no progression to penile squamous cell carcinoma^[25]. In addition, a longitudinal prospective cohort study found that long-term topical steroid use decreased scarring and the incidence of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma in women with vulvar LS^[8].

Future directions for LS management should focus on expanding treatment options to improve quality of life for affected patients and help prevent malignant transformation. Platelet-rich plasma may prove to be a valuable treatment intervention. However, the variability in preparation and administration needs to be addressed in order to allow comparative assessment. In addition to PRP, regenerative therapies for LS also include adipose-derived stem cells, which are postulated to exert their effect through paracrine release of growth factors^[26]. Limited studies have evaluated the efficacy of fat grafting in the treatment of severe vulvar LS with varying improvement in mucocutaneous elasticity and resolution of symptoms, i.e., pruritus and dyspareunia^[27].

The rise in such regenerative therapies warrants further studies to standardize both cellular and acellular clinical adjuvants for wound healing in inflammatory skin conditions, such as LS. Platelet-rich plasma may have a role as a supporting treatment in selected cases of patients with severe LS who do not respond to first-line therapy, in severe cases where the anatomical impairment impedes sexual function and patient quality of life or where other therapies are poorly tolerated or contraindicated.