Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers and disease mediators in lichen planus: a systematic review & meta-analysis

Background Lichen Planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. Oral lichen planus (OLP), the most common LP subtype, is a disease of the oral mucosa, often diagnosed through clinical examination and histopathological confirmation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) transfer proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids among cells and have become increasingly studied for their potential as minimally invasive diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Methods PUBMED and Embase were searched from inception through June 27th, 2026. Human studies investigating EV-associated miRNA or protein biomarkers in LP