Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41743121›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in pharmacology2026

Impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on malignant transformation in oral lichen planus: insights from a real-world cohort study.

Christian Seebauer, Ralf Ludwig, Peter Sieg, Henning Olbrich, Philip Curman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Christian SeebauerDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery / Plastic surgery, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Ralf LudwigInstitute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Peter SiegDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery / Plastic surgery, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Henning OlbrichDepartment of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venerology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Philip CurmanInstitute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with malignant potential for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Differential risks of pharmacological treatments, particularly long-term use, remain unclear. We aimed to quantify OSCC risk across treatment modalities and assess potential benefit of combining immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents to inform safer strategies. Methods: We conducted a large, retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching to balance demographic and clinical covariates. Patients with OLP treated with either systemic or topical glucocorticoids, calcineurin inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or combinations were followed. OSCC incidence rates were compared between treatment groups, controlling for confounders and stratifying by route and duration of therapy. Results: Compared with glucocorticoid regimens, calcineurin inhibitors were associated with higher OSCC risk (glucocorticoids: HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.48-2.32; calcineurin inhibitors: HR 3.17, 1.48-6.76). The lowest risk was seen with topical glucocorticoids. Concomitant NSAIDs, particularly ketorolac and diclofenac, with topical glucocorticoids or calcineurin inhibitors, reduced OSCC risk (topical glucocorticoids: HR 0.73, 0.58-0.91; plus ketorolac: HR 0.63, 0.38-1.04; topical calcineurin inhibitors alone: HR 1.53, 1.03-2.28; plus ketorolac: HR 0.28, 0.15-0.54). Owing to retrospective design and reliance on ICD-10 coding, residual confounding and misclassification cannot be excluded. Conclusion: Calcineurin inhibitors carry high risk for malignant transformation in OLP, while topical glucocorticoids, especially NSAID/glucocorticoid combinations, offer safer profiles. These findings call for re-evaluation of treatment guidelines and prospective trials assessing novel or combination therapeutics that optimize long-term safety and symptom control in OLP.

Indexed as

corticosteroidsimmunosuppressantsmalignant transformationoral lichen planusoral squamous cell carcinoma

Identifiers

PMID41743121
PMCPMC12929388

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.