Evaluation of muco-adhesive tacrolimus patch on caspase-3 induced apoptosis in oral lichen planus: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The study compared the clinical effectiveness of topical Tacrolimus (TAC) in patches or gel with Triamcinolone acetonide (TRI) gel for erosive/atrophic oral lichen planus (OLP) and investigated the influence of these therapies on Caspase-3 expression as a marker of apoptosis.

Methods: Thirty patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups to receive either topical TAC 0.1% patch twice daily, topical TAC 0.