Safety and efficacy of topical cantharidin for the treatment of pediatric molluscum contagiosum: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial

Analysis of pediatric outpatient visits uncovers disparities in molluscum contagiosum treatment across medical specialties in the United States

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral infection that affects the skin of children. In this study, treatment regimens and demographic information for MC patients across US medical specialties were compared. We discovered an average of 471,383 pediatric MC visits annually using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey database from 2000 to 2016. Non-Hispanics (82.9%) and Caucasians (91.0%) made up the majority of the visitors. The majority of cases were handled by pediatricians (46.5%), family medicine doctors (10.6%), and dermatologists (36.7%). Compared to pediatricians, dermatologists saw a higher percentage of Caucasian patients (95% vs.84%) and patients with private insurance (83% vs. 73%). Patients were more likely to see family medicine doctors (55.0%) in non-metropolitan areas than pediatricians (26.4%) or dermatologists (16.3%). Dermatologists were less likely than pediatricians (38%) to favor spontaneous resolution (70%). Dermatologists favored terpenoids (20%), imiquimod (12%), and curettage (10%), while pediatricians primarily used terpenoids (12%), steroids (4%), and imiquimod (4%). The majority of MC cases are managed by pediatricians; however, treatment approaches deviate markedly from recommended best practices.

Cantharidin Topical Solution 0.7%: First Approval

Cantharidin (YCANTH™) is a proprietary drug-device combination product containing a formulation of cantharidin 0.7% topical solution (a vesicant naturally derived from blister beetles) delivered via a single-use applicator that has been developed by Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and is also being developed for the treatment of warts. In July 2023, YCANTH™ (cantharidin 0.7% topical solution) was approved for the topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older in the USA. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of cantharidin 0.7% topical solution leading to this first approval for the topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.

New Developing Treatments for Molluscum Contagiosum

A large variety of treatments for molluscum contagiosum (MC) are available, but none are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and there is no consensus on the optimal approach, mainly owing to a lack of high-level data. Physical modalities are widely used, but require repeated outpatient visits for administration, are painful and difficult to perform in children, and are associated with the possibility of residual scarring and post-inflammatory hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Two experimental topical drugs, a new standardized preparation of topical cantharidin, called VP-102, and a topical nitric oxide (NO)-releasing product containing berdazimer, called SB206, represent promising products that have been designed to overcome the limitations of current treatments. They have recently shown good results in terms of safety and efficacy in large cohorts of patients in phase III studies and have the potential to be the first FDA-approved therapies for the treatment of MC.

Narrative review on the management of moderate-severe atopic dermatitis in pediatric age of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergology and Immunology (SIAIP), of the Italian Society of Pediatric Dermatology (SIDerP) and of the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP)

Currently, there are a few detailed guidelines on the overall management of children and adolescents with moderate-severe atopic dermatitis. AD ​​is a complex disease presenting with different clinical phenotypes, which require an individualized and multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, appropriate interaction between primary care pediatricians, pediatric allergists, and pediatric dermatologists is crucial to finding the best management strategy. In this manuscript, members of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergology and Immunology (SIAIP), the Italian Society of Pediatric Dermatology (SIDerP), and the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP) with expertise in the management of moderate-severe atopic dermatitis have reviewed the latest scientific evidence in the field. This narrative review aims to define a pathway to appropriately managing children and adolescents with moderate-severe atopic dermatitis.

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV national guideline for the management of Genital Molluscum in adults (2021)

This guideline offers recommendations on diagnosis, treatment regimens and health promotion principles needed for the effective management of genital molluscum, including management of the initial presentation and recurrences. The Primary focus of the guideline is on infection which affects the genital area and has a sexual mode of transmission. This is an update to the guideline previously published in this journal in 2014.

Efficacy of topical treatments for molluscum contagiosum in randomized controlled trials

Although molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common infectious dermatosis that is self-resolving, treatment can diminish discomfort and decrease the risk of autoinoculation and infection to others, because it is transmitted through direct skin contact. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of topical treatments for MC. A PubMed search following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed to find randomized, controlled trials of MC treatment. The search yielded 129 publications, but only 15 studies published between 1994 and 2020 were found to fit the inclusion criteria. Treatment modalities included podophyllotoxin, imiquimod, sodium nitrite, myrtle leaf extract, phenol, Salatac Gel (salicylic acid with lactic acid), potassium hydroxide, cantharidin, SB206, and VP-102. Outcomes were extracted from the literature, and subsequent quality and risk of bias assessments were performed. All treatments were more efficacious than the control except cantharidin, potassium hydroxide, and imiquimod, which had varying degrees of efficacy throughout studies. Overall, studies were of sufficient quality and had low risk of bias, but they had small sample sizes and lacked adequate explanation of statistical analysis. Current first-line treatment entails mechanical methods such as cryotherapy and curettage, which may be frightening to children with MC, so the development and assessment of topical treatments allows for alternative efficacious techniques.

Safety and Efficacy of VP-102, a Proprietary, Drug-Device Combination Product Containing Cantharidin, 0.7% (w/v), in Children and Adults With Molluscum Contagiosum: Two Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trials

Question

What is the efficacy and safety of VP-102, a drug-device combination containing cantharidin, 0.7% (w/v), in individuals aged 2 years or older with molluscum contagiosum compared with vehicle?

Findings

In 2 identical phase 3 trials (Cantharidin Application in Molluscum Patients [CAMP-1 and CAMP-2]) with a total of 582 participants, topical application of VP-102 or vehicle every 21 days for a maximum of 4 treatments resulted in complete lesion clearance rates of 46.3% (CAMP-1) and 54.0% (CAMP-2) with VP-102 vs 18% (CAMP-1) and 13% (CAMP-2) with the vehicle. The most common adverse events were primarily mild to moderate and included application site vesicles, pain, and pruritus.

Meaning

The findings of these trials support the efficacy and safety of a proprietary cantharidin-based drug-device combination for treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children and adults.

Importance

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral skin infection that primarily affects children. Cantharidin, a topical vesicant, has a long history of use for MC in compounded formulations, but the safety and efficacy of doses, regimens, and application methods have not been demonstrated in large-scale trials.

Objective

To determine the safety and efficacy of VP-102, a drug-device combination containing cantharidin, 0.7% (w/v), compared with vehicle in individuals with MC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Two phase 3, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials of identical design (Cantharidin Application in Molluscum Patients [CAMP-1 and CAMP-2]) were conducted in 31 centers across the US. A total of 528 individuals aged 2 years or older with MC participated. CAMP-1 was conducted from March 21 to November 26, 2018, and CAMP-2 was conducted from February 14 to September 26, 2018.

Interventions

Participants were randomized (3:2) to topical application of VP-102 or vehicle to all treatable lesions every 21 days until complete lesion clearance or up to 4 treatments.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of VP-102–treated participants achieving complete clearance of all MC lesions (baseline and new) compared with those who received the vehicle at the end-of-study visit on day 84. Intent-to-treat analysis was conducted for the efficacy population. Secondary efficacy outcomes included the proportion of participants achieving complete clearance of lesions at days 21, 42, and 63. Safety outcomes included assessment of adverse events, including expected local skin reactions.

Results

Of the 528 participants enrolled, 527 received treatment (CAMP-1, n = 265; CAMP-2, n = 262). A total of 267 of 527 participants (50.7%) were male; mean (SD) ages for CAMP-1 and CAMP-2 were 7.5 (5.3) years and 7.4 (8.0) years for the VP-102 groups and 6.3 (4.7) years and 7.3 (6.7) years for the vehicle groups. Treatment with VP-102 demonstrated superior efficacy to vehicle in the percentage of participants with complete clearance of MC lesions at the end of the study visit for CAMP-1 (VP-102: 46.3% vs vehicle: 17.9%; P < .001) and CAMP-2 (VP-102: 54.0% vs vehicle: 13.4%; P < .001). Adverse events were observed in 99% (CAMP-1) and 95% (CAMP-2) of VP-102–treated participants and 73% (CAMP-1) and 66% (CAMP-2) of vehicle-treated participants. The most common adverse events included application site vesicles, pain, pruritus, erythema, and scab. Most adverse events were mild or moderate in severity.

Conclusions and Relevance

In the 2 phase 3 trials reported herein, VP-102 was statistically significantly superior to vehicle in achieving complete clearance of MC lesions at the end of the study visit in both trials, with adverse events that were generally mild to moderate and confined to application sites. These findings show that VP-102 is potentially an effective and safe treatment for MC, a common skin condition with no US Food and Drug Administration–approved treatments.

Trial Registrations

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT03377790 and NCT03377803

Pooled Results of Two Randomized Phase III Trials Evaluating VP-102, a Drug-Device Combination Product Containing Cantharidin 0.7% (w/v) for the Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum

BACKGROUND

Compounded cantharidin has been used for decades to treat molluscum contagiosum but lacks rigorous clinical evidence to support its safety and efficacy. VP-102 is a shelf-stable drug-device combination product that contains topical cantharidin (0.7% weight/volume [w/v]) and is being evaluated for the treatment of molluscum.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to present pooled safety and efficacy analyses of VP-102 in the treatment of molluscum compared with vehicle.

METHODS

Participants aged ≥ 2 years were randomized 3:2 to topical administration of VP-102 or vehicle in two randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled phase III trials. Study drug was applied to all baseline and new lesions once every 21 days until clear or for a maximum of four applications. Assessors blinded to treatment counted all lesions at each study visit. All adverse events (AEs) were documented. Data were pooled for analyses.

RESULTS

In total, 310 participants received VP-102 and 218 received vehicle. Mean age was 7.5 years (range 2-60) for VP-102 and 6.8 (2-54) for vehicle. Complete clearance of all molluscum lesions at day 84 occurred in 50% of VP-102 participants and 15.6% of vehicle recipients (p < 0.0001). Mean molluscum lesion counts decreased 76% for VP-102 and 0.3% for vehicle at day 84 (p < 0.0001). The most common AEs in the VP-102 group were application site blistering, pruritus, pain, and erythema, which were generally mild or moderate in severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Pooled analyses showed a significantly higher percentage of participants with complete molluscum lesion clearance and larger reductions in lesion counts with VP-102 than with vehicle. AEs were anticipated because of the pharmacodynamic properties of cantharidin.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT03377790 (first posted 19 December 2017) and NCT03377803 (first posted 19 December 2017). Video abstract: Pooled Results of Two Randomized Phase III Trials Evaluating VP 102, a Drug Device Combination Product Containing Cantharidin 0.7% (w/v) for the Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum (MP4 131293 KB).

The Toxicity and Attenuation Methods of Toxic Chinese Materia Medica for its Reasonable Application: A Review

Over a millennia, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat various diseases in China. In recent years, more and more Chinese materia medica (CMM) have been studied in scientific research projects, applied in clinical practice, and their extracts have even appeared in some health products. However, the toxicity of some CMM is often overlooked, including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, etc. In this review, the toxic components and their toxicological mechanisms of some toxic CMM were listed according to the chemical structure classification of toxic components. Afterwards, the traditional methods (processing and compatibility) and modern methods (structural modification, biotransformation, etc.) of attenuation of CMM were discussed. Since ancient times, it has been said that "fight fire with fire, fight poison with poison," and toxic CMM are of great significance in the treatment of difficult and severe diseases. The rational application of toxic CMM and their components in clinical practice was also exemplified in this review. While the pharmacological effects of TCMs have been emphasized, the scientific attenuation and rational application of toxic components should be concerned. We hope this review can provide a reference for future related research.

The infectious complications of atopic dermatitis

OBJECTIVE

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is complicated by an increased risk for skin and systemic infections. Preventive therapy for AD is based on skin barrier improvement and anti-inflammatory treatments, whereas overt skin and systemic infections require antibiotics or antiviral treatments. This review updates the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, controversy of antibiotic use, and potential treatments of infectious complications of AD.

DATA SOURCES

Published literature obtained through PubMed database searches and clinical pictures.

STUDY SELECTIONS

Studies relevant to the mechanisms, diagnosis, management, and potential therapy of infectious complications of AD.

RESULTS

Skin barrier defects, type 2 inflammation, Staphylococcusaureus colonization, and cutaneous dysbiosis are the major predisposing factors for the increased infections in AD. Although overt infections require antibiotics, the use of antibiotics in AD exacerbation remains controversial.

CONCLUSION

Infectious complications are a comorbidity of AD. Although not common, systemic bacterial infections and eczema herpeticum can be life-threatening. Preventive therapy of infections in AD emphasizes skin barrier improvement and anti-inflammatory therapy. The use of antibiotics in AD exacerbation requires further studies.

2020 European guideline on the management of genital molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign viral epidermal infection associated with high risk of transmission. The guideline is focused on the sexually transmitted molluscum contagiosum. The diagnosis is clinical with characteristic individual lesions, termed 'mollusca', seen as dome-shaped, smooth-surfaced, pearly, firm, skin-coloured, pink, yellow or white papules, 2 - 5 mm in diameter with central umbilication. Dermoscopy may facilitate diagnosis. Therapeutic options are numerous, including physical treatments (cautery, curettage and cryotherapy), topical chemical treatments (e.g. podophyllotoxin and imiquimod) or waiting for spontaneous resolution in immunocompetent patients. In pregnancy, it is safe to use physical procedures (e.g. cryotherapy). Immunosuppressed patients develop severe and recalcitrant molluscum lesions that may require treatment with cidofovir, imiquimod or interferon. Patients with molluscum contagiosum infection should be offered to be screened for other sexually transmitted infections.