Hydroxychloroquine Effective for Anogenital Lichen Sclerosus

Hydroxychloroquine has shown potential as a safe and effective treatment for anogenital lichen sclerosus, with minimal adverse effects, according to a recent study published online in the International Journal of Dermatology on July 19, 2024.

The research, conducted by Christeebella O. Akpala and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, examined the demographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment responses, and outcomes of 70 patients diagnosed with either anogenital or extragenital lichen sclerosus who received hydroxychloroquine therapy between 2018 and 2023.

One notable finding of the study was that 36 percent of the patients had a connective tissue disorder, which led to their hydroxychloroquine treatment. Among the 30 patients treated exclusively for lichen sclerosus, 21 patients responded positively to the treatment, while nine did not show any response. The overall response rate for patients with anogenital lichen sclerosus was significantly higher at 84.6 percent, compared to a 50 percent response rate in those with extragenital lichen sclerosus. The median time to observe an initial response was four months. Additionally, adverse effects were generally mild and occurred in 14.3 percent of patients.

The authors of the study highlighted hydroxychloroquine's potential as a promising therapeutic option for anogenital lichen sclerosus due to its favorable response rates and relatively low incidence of side effects. They emphasized the need for further research, including larger-scale or prospective studies, to confirm its definitive efficacy.