Thank you for your interest the lichen planus study.

The purpose of this study is to perform a pilot study to determine the preliminary efficacy and safety of alefacept (amevive) in the treatment of moderate to severe erosive mucosal lichen planus. You will be able to continue using certain medications (topical steroids and emollients) for lichen planus throughout the trial, and you will be compensated $320 for your completion of the trial.

Before starting the study, you will have a screening visit, which will include a physical exam and a review of your medical history, and a blood draw, to determine if you are eligible to enroll in the study. All participants must be at least 18 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of moderate to severe erosive mucosal lichen planus. Neither pregnant nor nursing women will be included in the study.

If you are eligible, you will return every week for the first 12 weeks to receive the study drug; the next 12 weeks will be a follow-up period. During visits at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 weeks, you will also fill out questionnaires and have blood drawn for additional tests. You will be randomly assigned (by chance) to receive either alefacept or placebo through an intramuscular injection (in the muscle) once a week by a study physician. You have an equal chance of receiving alefacept or placebo. The entire study will be “blinded”, meaning that neither you nor the evaluating physician will know whether you are receiving the drug or the placebo. You have the option to withdraw from the study at any time.

Please contact us by e-mail or phone with any questions you may have and to schedule a screening appointment, if interested.

Dermatology Joint Clinical Trials Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital (617-726-1660)
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (617-525-7975)
harvardskinstudies@partners.org