Context: Lichen planus (LP) is an immune mediated inflammatory condition. SCCAII
is a useful biomarker reflecting Th17 type inflammation. It is also a tumour marker,
especially for Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) Mechanism of carcinogenesis in LP
is still unknown. Chronic inflammation may facilitate the development of cellular
clones in the epidermis. Aims: Estimation of serum level of SCCA II in patients with
cutaneous and oral LP (OLP) to detect its role in LP pathogenesis, and to reveal
the missing link in understanding mechanism of carcinogenesis in LP. Methods and
Material: A case control study, where 100 subjects were included; 80 LP patients (40
cutaneous & 40 oral) and 20 apparently healthy controls. We obtained an informed
written consent from each subject prior the participation. Cutaneous and oral LP
were diagnosed clinically, SCCA II level was measured by ELISA technique. Statistical
analysis used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS vs.25. (IBM, Armonk,
New York, United states). Numerical data was summarized as means and standard
deviations or medians and ranges. Results: Median SSCCAII level was significantly
higher in LP cases compared to controls (P < 0.001) and was significantly higher
in patients with OLP compared to patients with cutaneous LP (P ≤ 0.001). Post
hoc analysis revealed that median SSCCAII was significantly higher in patients with
ulcerative type compared to both reticular type and others. It was also significantly
higher in patients with actinic type compared to both hypertrophic type and classic
type. Median SSCCAII was significantly higher in patients with ulcerative OLP
compared to actinic LP (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that serum
SCCAII level was higher in patients with cutaneous and OLP. This might be linked
to the pathogenesis of LP, especially actinic and erosive OLP. SCCAII level could
facilitate the screening and early detection of patients at risk, a potential alarm
to launch accurate assessment and continue follow up of cutaneous as well as O LP
patients