The effect of topical corticosteroids on Ki67 and p53 expression in vulval lichen sclerosus

Summary Background Topical corticosteroids have become the treatment of choice for genital lichen sclerosus (LS) and are believed to be required for long‐term relief of symptoms. Objectives To compare vulval LS that had been treated with topical corticosteroids, vulval LS that had not received topical corticosteroids, and histologically normal vulval skin. Methods We used immunohistochemistry to look for Ki67 expression and abnormal p53 expression. Results We found a statistically significant difference for p53 overexpression, with increased levels seen when comparing corticosteroid‐treated LS with normal genital skin (P = 0·011). Ki67 expression was also significantly higher in the corticosteroid‐treated group compared with normal genital skin (P = 0·001), and increased levels were also found in the treated group compared with untreated LS (P = 0·05). Conclusions Our data suggest that topical corticosteroids have an effect on cell cycle proteins in genital skin and, in particular, genital skin with LS changes.