Efficacy of Cantharidin in Molluscum Contagiosum

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Molluscum Contagiosum, Skin Disease

Treatments: Drug: cantharidin's vehicle; Drug: Cantharidin 0.7%

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00667225

RR000046 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

IRB 07-1330

Details and patient eligibility

About

The University of North Carolina Department of Dermatology is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate a drug called cantharidin in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum is a common dermatologic disorder caused by a poxvirus. Molluscum typically presents with many flesh-colored bumps on the skin. It goes away on its own, though can last several months to several years. Cantharidin is a topical medicine which is applied at the clinic visit. It is well tolerated by the majority of children.

Enrollment: 29 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 10 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Anyone aged 5-10 years with the clinical diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum.

Exclusion criteria

• Anyone with immunosuppression including HIV or previous organ transplantation.
• Anyone taking immunosuppressive medications.
• Anyone who has previously received treatment with cantharidin.
• Any female who has had her first menstrual period.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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29 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

I

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Subjects in this group will have topical application of cantharidin's vehicle at each visit.

Treatment:

Drug: cantharidin's vehicle

II

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects in this group will have topical application of cantharidin at each visit.

Treatment:

Drug: Cantharidin 0.7%