A Phase 2 interventional study of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 and Clobetasol propionate 0.05% in Oral Lichen Planus, sponsored by University of Sao Paulo. Completed at 1 site in Brazil. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-03-27.
Sponsored by University of Sao Paulo · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease, which often results in oral manifestations, receiving the name of oral lichen planus (OLP). Its frequency varies from 0,1 to 4% of the general population, with a higher incidence in women, around the 4th and 5th decades of life. Although the pathogenesis of OLP is related to a immune-cellular response, mainly mediated by T lymphocytes, its cause remains unknown. Considering its chronic nature, control of OLP aims to reduce symptoms and improve function, and agents with anti-inflammatory action, especially topical corticosteroids result in some degree of success in most patients, depending on the clinical presentation. However, some cases are resistant to the use of corticosteroids, thus justifying the search for new therapeutic options. The immunomodulation proved to be one of the main functions of probiotic bacteria, and recent studies have shown effect of probiotics on decreasing the expression of inflammatory markers, which enables the study of this therapy as an alternative to the control of OLP. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the effects of therapy with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 comparing with clobetasol propionate 0.05% in symptomatic patients with OLP referred for diagnosis and treatment of School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo (USP). The impact of the topical therapy (probiotic or corticosteroid) on the clinical, histopathological and immunopathological features will be evaluated. This project was previously submitted and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto/USP, and all patients must give informed consent to participate in this study.
This is a randomized double-blind clinical trial with symptomatic patients presenting OLP, which will be randomly assigned to either topical Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis HN019 or clobetasol propionate 0.05%. The selected patients will receive capsules to be diluted in 15 ml of water containing 6 x 109 CFUs of Bifidobacterium subsp. lactis HN019 (experimental group) or 0.05% clobetasol propionate (control group) for mouth washing, twice a day for 4 weeks. Patients will be instructed to maintain normal brushing and not to use or consume another corticosteroid and /or probiotic during the study. Outcomes measures will be symptoms (VAS and Likert-like scale), quality of life (SF-36 form), and clinical changes (erythema, reticulation, erosion/ulcer based on clinical photographs), which will be performed at baseline, 15 days (only VAS, Likert-like scale and photographs) and and at one month of treatment. All patients will undergo biopsies for the diagnosis of OLP, and those who consent will be submitted to an optional biopsy at the end of the topical treatment for histopathological and immunopathological characterization.
Clinical inclusion
Histopathological inclusion criteria
Exclusion Criteria:
Clinical exclusion criteria
Intervention: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019
Drug: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019
Intervention: Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Drug: Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
The selected patients will receive capsules to be diluted in 15 ml of water containing 6 x 109 CFUs of Bifidobacterium subsp. lactis HN019 for mouthwash twice a day for 4 weeks.
Also known as: Probiotic
The selected patients will receive capsules to be diluted in 15ml of water containing clobetasol propionate 0.05% for mouthwash twice a day for 4 weeks.
Also known as: Topical corticosteroid
Change in symptoms intensity measure
Self reported symptoms at baseline, 15 and 30 days after therapy through an visual analogue scale (VAS). It consists of a subjective scale scoring the symptoms from 0 to 10 (0 = no symptoms and 10 = as bad as can be).
Time frame: 4 weeks
Histopathological analysis
Biopsies will be collected at the baseline stage or at the time of the diagnosis of OLP (optional), consisting of a 5mm x 5mm fragment or a 4mm punch of reticular lesions. The second biopsy will be optional, with patient consent, close to the area of the first biopsy for comparative purposes. The histological findings will be determined quantitatively and qualitatively regarding the presence of epithelial hyperplasia, degeneration by liquefaction of the basal cells layer, lymphocytic infiltrate in the subepithelial connective tissue, and apoptotic cells. Photographs will be used at 400x and quantification using the Image J. program.
Time frame: Before (baseline) and one month after intensive topical therapy
Immunohistochemical analysis
The population of inflammatory cells will be characterized by analysis of oral mucosa samples, with emphasis on the T cell line (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD103, perforin, granzyme B and Foxp3), B cells (CD20 / CD20), dendritic cells (CD123 and CD303), submucosal dendritic cells (CD209 and factor XIIIa), Langerhans cells (CD1a and CD207), endothelial activity (e-selectin and CD31), mast cells ), macrophages (CD68 and CD163), myeloid dendritic cells (S100 and CD11c), cell proliferation markers (Ki-67, MCM-2, MCM-5, cyclin D1) and extracellular matrix (laminin-5). For immunohistochemical reactions, histological sections of 3μm thickness will be performed, which will be placed on slides coated with organosilane (Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA).
Time frame: After 4 weeks of intensive therapy.
Venous blood collection
10 ml of venous blood to evaluate the probiotic systemic effect, by means of the research of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines.
Time frame: Before (baseline) and after 4 weeks of topical therapy
Plan to share: No — No plan to make individual participant data available to other researchers.
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University of Sao Paulo