Successful treatment of rare linear lichen planopilaris with Ixekizumab
Hanof Ahmed, Mahir Petkar, Martin Steinhoff
Abstract
Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a lymphocytic primary cicatricial alopecia characterized by perifollicular erythema, follicular hyperkeratosis and scaring, resulting in permanent hair loss.1 Current treatment modalities, both topical and systemic, fail to achieve satisfactory and consistent results.2–4 As therapies fail to halt the inflammatory process, patients with LPP may face long-term disfigurement and significant psychological burden.5 Thus, efficacious, safe and targeted therapies are a high priority in preventing disfiguring alopecia in patients with LPP. Here, we report on a case of rare LPP in linear distribution (LLPP) involving the scalp and forehead achieving complete hair regrowth after 12 weeks of treatment with an anti-psoriatic, anti-interleukin (IL)-17A/F antibody (Taltz, Ixekizumab, Lilly). The present case underlines the viability of ixekizumab as a possible first-line, targeted therapy for LPP and its variants with sustained efficacy.