Latest News

FDA approves cantharidin for molluscum contagiosum


 

On July 21, 2023, topical cantharidin became the first Food and Drug Administration–approved treatment of molluscum contagiosum (molluscum), for adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.

The product is a drug-device combination that contains a formulation of cantharidin solution (0.7%), delivered topically via a single-use applicator, which allows for precise dosing and targeted administration. According to a press release from Verrica Pharmaceuticals, cantharidin is expected to be available by September 2023 and should be administered only by a trained health care professional; it is not for use in the home.

The approval of the product, also known as VP-102, is based on results from two identical multicenter phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that evaluated the drug’s safety and efficacy in patients 2 years of age and older diagnosed with molluscum: Cantharidin Application in Molluscum Patients-1 (CAMP-1) and CAMP-2. Patients in both trials met the primary endpoint of complete clearance of all treatable molluscum lesions. Specifically, 46% of CAMP-1 participants treated with VP-102 achieved complete clearance of molluscum lesions compared with 18% of participants in the vehicle group (P < .0001), while 54% of CAMP-2 participants treated with VP-102 achieved complete clearance of molluscum lesions compared with 13% of participants in the vehicle group (P < .0001).

A post hoc analysis of both trials found that complete clearance of all lesions was significantly higher in the VP-102 group than vehicle across all body regions. It also found that there were no serious adverse reactions reported in the trials. Adverse reactions were mostly mild to moderate and included application site vesicles, erythema, pain, dryness, scab, discoloration, pruritus, and edema.

The product will be marketed as Ycanth.

In March of 2023, the FDA accepted a new drug application for another treatment for molluscum contagiosum, berdazimer gel 10.3%. That product is being developed by Novan.

Recommended Reading

Antibiotics and SJS/TEN: Study provides global prevalence
MDedge Pediatrics
FDA accepts application for topical molluscum treatment
MDedge Pediatrics
FDA to review dupilumab for treating chronic spontaneous urticaria
MDedge Pediatrics
Study finds quality of topical steroid withdrawal videos on YouTube subpar
MDedge Pediatrics
What are the clinical implications of recent skin dysbiosis discoveries?
MDedge Pediatrics
Beware the hidden allergens in nutritional supplements
MDedge Pediatrics
Scientists discover variants, therapy for disabling pansclerotic morphea
MDedge Pediatrics
IL-17 inhibitor approved in Europe for hidradenitis suppurativa
MDedge Pediatrics
Study points to need to improve identification of culprit in SJS/TEN cases
MDedge Pediatrics
Study examines pediatric skin biopsy trends at a tertiary care center
MDedge Pediatrics