A drug-device containing the topical vesicant cantharidin safely and effectively treated molluscum contagiosum in 2 identical phase 3 multicenter US trials published in JAMA Dermatology. The common viral skin infection can last for years and has no approved treatment.
Together the 2 trials randomized 528 participants to receive topical application of VP-102 or vehicle treatment every 21 days for a maximum of 4 treatments. VP-102 consists of a glass ampule containing 450 μL of solution with 0.7% cantharidin in a single-use applicator. Most participants were children aged 2 to 11 years.