A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case Report

Granuloma annulare (GA) is an inflammatory and granulomatous dermatosis characterized by annular erythematous papules/plaques frequently localized in acral regions. Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which are released by T helper 1 (T...

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Main Authors: Emre Sarıkaya, Meltem Türkmen, Selcen Kundak, Sümeyye Ekmekci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/carm/6883705
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author Emre Sarıkaya
Meltem Türkmen
Selcen Kundak
Sümeyye Ekmekci
author_facet Emre Sarıkaya
Meltem Türkmen
Selcen Kundak
Sümeyye Ekmekci
author_sort Emre Sarıkaya
collection DOAJ
description Granuloma annulare (GA) is an inflammatory and granulomatous dermatosis characterized by annular erythematous papules/plaques frequently localized in acral regions. Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which are released by T helper 1 (Th1) lymphocytes inducing macrophages, are thought to play a role in its pathogenesis. Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory dermatosis characterized by pruritic scaly purple papules, often on the wrists and ankles, and can also affect mucosa, hair, and nails. T-cell-mediated proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, which are released by macrophages upon Th1 stimulation, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of LP, as in GA. A new treatment option is needed in the treatment of these diseases due to suboptimal results and adverse side-effect profiles with conventional treatments. Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor and inhibits the production of various inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-5, IL-8, IL-12, and leukotriene B4. This molecule has three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indications: moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers associated with Behcet’s disease. Apremilast exhibits a favorable side-effect profile compared to conventional treatments and is a good treatment option with its ability to reduce cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of GA and LP. Here, we report the case of a 55-year-old woman in whom apremilast treatment led to an almost complete resolution of her GA and LP.
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spelling doaj-art-8433c4a3da334ccc99bb105b2c92bb382025-08-20T03:36:25ZengWileyCase Reports in Medicine1687-96352025-01-01202510.1155/carm/6883705A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case ReportEmre Sarıkaya0Meltem Türkmen1Selcen Kundak2Sümeyye Ekmekci3Department of DermatologyDepartment of DermatologyDepartment of DermatologyDepartment of PathologyGranuloma annulare (GA) is an inflammatory and granulomatous dermatosis characterized by annular erythematous papules/plaques frequently localized in acral regions. Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which are released by T helper 1 (Th1) lymphocytes inducing macrophages, are thought to play a role in its pathogenesis. Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory dermatosis characterized by pruritic scaly purple papules, often on the wrists and ankles, and can also affect mucosa, hair, and nails. T-cell-mediated proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, which are released by macrophages upon Th1 stimulation, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of LP, as in GA. A new treatment option is needed in the treatment of these diseases due to suboptimal results and adverse side-effect profiles with conventional treatments. Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor and inhibits the production of various inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-5, IL-8, IL-12, and leukotriene B4. This molecule has three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indications: moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers associated with Behcet’s disease. Apremilast exhibits a favorable side-effect profile compared to conventional treatments and is a good treatment option with its ability to reduce cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of GA and LP. Here, we report the case of a 55-year-old woman in whom apremilast treatment led to an almost complete resolution of her GA and LP.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/carm/6883705
spellingShingle Emre Sarıkaya
Meltem Türkmen
Selcen Kundak
Sümeyye Ekmekci
A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case Report
Case Reports in Medicine
title A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case Report
title_full A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case Report
title_fullStr A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case Report
title_short A Patient With Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Planus Treated With Apremilast: A Case Report
title_sort patient with granuloma annulare and lichen planus treated with apremilast a case report
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/carm/6883705
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