Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

This will be a randomized single-blind placebo controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) for the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus. Thirty patients with a diagnosis of biopsy proven active vulvar lichen sclerosus will be recruited from one center. This study will consist of a two-week screening period and a 12-week treatment period. At the beginning of the screening period, a 4 millimeter punch skin biopsy sample will be collected from each patient to confirm the diagnosis of active lichen sclerosus and to rule out the diagnoses of lichen planus, psoriasis, candidiasis, and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. In addition, vulvoscopy will be performed at the screening visit and after the 12-week treatment period to rule out vulvar carcinoma. All eligible patients will be randomized to receive either placebo (saline injections) (10 subjects) or two separate treatments of PRP separated by 6 weeks (20 subjects). Each treatment would consist of an injection of 5 ml of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injected subdermally and intra-dermally, infiltrating the areas of the vulva affected by active lichen sclerosus. A repeat biopsy will be performed adjacent to the original biopsy site at the 12 week visit.

The preparation of autologous PRP is as follows: 60 cc of whole blood will be removed via venopuncture. Preparation of PRP is done using a proprietary, FDA approved, centrifuge which uses a laser and a closed sterile system to identify and isolate the most platelet rich fraction of 60ml of whole blood. [Magellan® Autologous Platelet Separator System. Arteriocyte Medical Systems. Hopkinton, MA USA].

The PRP will be collected in a blackened syringe so that neither Dr. Goldstein (the physician administering the PRP) nor the patient will know if she is receiving the PRP or placebo.

After isolation of the PRP, calcium chloride (0.7ml) will be added to the 5 ml of PRP isolate to activate the thrombin cascade, thereby causing degranulation of platelets, releasing growth factors and cytokines, and starting the transformation of the PRP to platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM).

The primary efficacy variable will be performed by a blinded dermatopathologist who will evaluate the inflammatory infiltration on biopsy specimens obtained during the screening period and at the Week 14 visit (1 to 4 scales). A secondary endpoint will be changes from baseline in the "Clinical Scoring System for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus" (CSS) a validated instrument that assessment both an investigator's impression of the severity of disease and a patient's impression of the severity of her disease.

All adverse events will be recorded, including serious adverse events. A physical examination will be performed at each visit.

Inclusion criteria

• Female, 18 year or older
• With a diagnosis of biopsy proven active vulvar lichen sclerosus
• Signed written informed consent
• Willingness and ability to comply with the study requirements
• Subject must have a score of 5 or greater in the itching (pruritus) domain of the CSS upon enrollment

Exclusion criteria

• Who have received systemic immunosuppressants (e.g. corticosteroids) within 12 weeks prior to participation in the study
• Who have been treated with topical therapy (e.g. topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical estrogen, topical testosterone) at the affected area within 16 weeks prior to participation in the study.
• Who are immunocompromised (e.g. lymphoma, AIDS, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome) or have an uncontrolled malignant disease
• Who suffer from systemic of generalized infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
• Who have been diagnosed with lichen planus, psoriasis, candidiasis, intraepithelial neoplasia, or carcinoma of the vulva
• Who had received an investigational drug within four weeks prior to the study or who intend to use other investigational drugs during the course of this study.
• Patients with severe medical conditions(s) that in the view of the investigator prohibits participation in the study.
• Who have a history of substance abuse of any factor, which limits the subject's ability to cooperate in the study procedure
• Who are uncooperative, known to miss appointments (according to subjects' records) and are unlikely to follow medical instructions pr are not willing to attend regularly scheduled visits.