Therapeutic effect and impact of Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent protein kinase 4 expression in patients with vulvar lichen simplex chronicus treated using focused ultrasound

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of focused ultrasound (FU) for vulvar lichen simplex chronicus (VLSC) and its effect on Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) expression. METHODS: 102 skin samples from reproductive-age patients with VLSC were included; all patients received FU treatment and formed the post-treatment group. 50 normal vulvar skin samples served as controls. Clinical efficacy and Vulvar Quality of Life Index (VQLI) were evaluated at 6 months post-treatment. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression, quantified by mean optical density (MOD). RESULTS: The total clinical efficacy rate was 95.1%, and post-treatment VQLI scores were significantly decreased. Both the MOD values and prickle to basal layer MOD ratios of Cyclin D1 and CDK4 were significantly higher in the VLSC group than in the control and post-treatment groups, with no significant differences between the control and post-treatment groups. CONCLUSION: FU effectively alleviates the clinical symptoms of VLSC, an effect associated with the downregulation of abnormally high Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression and the restoration of their normal distribution pattern in lesional tissues.