Oral Lichen Planus and Malignant Transformation Dynamics

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic, T cell–mediated inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa characterised by a lichenoid infiltrate and basal keratinocyte degeneration. Although often benign, OLP carries a recognised risk of progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma, estimated at 1–2 per cent over time. Malignant transformation dynamics in OLP involve persistent immune activation, chronic cytokine exposure, epithelial barrier disruption, DNA damage accumulation and aberrant cell proliferation. Contributions from microbial dysbiosis, genetic predisposition and local immunoregulatory failure converge to create a microenvironment permissive for neoplastic change. Accurate risk stratification relies on integrating clinical assessment with emerging molecular biomarkers to enable timely intervention and surveillance on a global scale.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have characterised the salivary microbiome in OLP patients using high-throughput sequencing, revealing specific taxonomic shifts such as increased abundance of Porphyromonas and Solobacterium alongside reductions in genera like Streptococcus. These microbial changes correlate with local levels of interleukin-17 and interleukin-23, implicating the microbiota in inflammatory perpetuation. Another investigation has demonstrated the presence of intracellular bacteria within epithelial cells and infiltrating T lymphocytes, showing that bacterial invasion induces chemokines such as CXCL10 and CCL5 and compromises epithelial barrier integrity. Together, these works underscore a pivotal role for the oral microbiota in driving chronic inflammation and potentially influencing the early stages of neoplastic progression.

Oral Lichen Planus and Malignant Transformation Dynamics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in oral lichen planus and malignant transformation dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Oral Lichen Planus: A chronic T cell–driven inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa with characteristic lichenoid lesions.

Malignant transformation: The process by which benign or premalignant cells acquire genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to invasive cancer.

Microbiome dysbiosis: An imbalance in the composition or function of microbial communities associated with disease processes.

Cytokine: A small protein released by immune cells that modulates inflammatory and immune responses.

Biomarker: A measurable molecular indicator of pathogenic processes or therapeutic responses.

References

1. Preliminary analysis of salivary microbiome and their potential roles in oral lichen planus. Scientific Reports (2016).
2. The presence of bacteria within tissue provides insights into the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus. Scientific Reports (2016).
3. PA28γ induces dendritic cell maturation and activates T‐cell immune responses in oral lichen planus. MedComm (2024).
4. Oral and non-oral lichen planus show genetic heterogeneity and differential risk for autoimmune disease and oral cancer. American Journal of Human Genetics (2024).
5. Markers of Oral Lichen Planus Malignant Transformation. Disease Markers (2018).