Paras P Vakharia1, Rishi Chopra1, Nanette B Silverberg2, Jonathan I Silverberg3,4. 1. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. 2. Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai West of the Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. 3. Department of Dermatology, Preventive Medicine and Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676N. Saint Clair St, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. JonathanISilverberg@Gmail.com. 4. Northwestern Medicine Multidisciplinary Eczema Center, Chicago, IL, USA. JonathanISilverberg@Gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Topical cantharidin is routinely used for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and warts. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of topical cantharidin treatment for molluscum contagiosum and warts. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of studies assessing topical cantharidin treatment of molluscum contagiosum or warts. We searched the databases of Cochrane, EMBASE, GREAT, LILACS, MEDLINE, and Scopus. Two authors performed the study selection and data extraction. RESULTS: Twenty studies (1958-2018) met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Twelve studies assessed warts, and eight studies assessed molluscum contagiosum. Overall, 1752 patients were included (range 0.3-62 years; specified in 15 studies). Clearance rates with topical cantharidin for molluscum contagiosum were variable (range 15.4-100%). Significant clearance of warts with maintenance of clearance was demonstrated with topical cantharidin alone. Topical cantharidin in combination with podophyllotoxin and salicylic acid demonstrated efficacy for plantar warts (pediatric and adult; clearance rate range 81-100%; four studies had 100% clearance), with the majority clearing after a single treatment. Satisfaction with cantharidin therapy was high, especially in molluscum contagiosum. Pain (7-85.7%), blistering (10-100%), and hyper-/hypopigmentation (1.8-53.3%) were the most commonly occurring adverse effects with cantharidin treatment. CONCLUSION: Topical cantharidin demonstrated clearance of warts, particularly in combination with podophyllotixin and salicylic acid, and modest benefit for pediatric molluscum contagiosum with good tolerability and safety.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Topical cantharidin is routinely used for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and warts. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of topical cantharidin treatment for molluscum contagiosum and warts. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of studies assessing topical cantharidin treatment of molluscum contagiosum or warts. We searched the databases of Cochrane, EMBASE, GREAT, LILACS, MEDLINE, and Scopus. Two authors performed the study selection and data extraction. RESULTS: Twenty studies (1958-2018) met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Twelve studies assessed warts, and eight studies assessed molluscum contagiosum. Overall, 1752 patients were included (range 0.3-62 years; specified in 15 studies). Clearance rates with topical cantharidin for molluscum contagiosum were variable (range 15.4-100%). Significant clearance of warts with maintenance of clearance was demonstrated with topical cantharidin alone. Topical cantharidin in combination with podophyllotoxin and salicylic acid demonstrated efficacy for plantar warts (pediatric and adult; clearance rate range 81-100%; four studies had 100% clearance), with the majority clearing after a single treatment. Satisfaction with cantharidin therapy was high, especially in molluscum contagiosum. Pain (7-85.7%), blistering (10-100%), and hyper-/hypopigmentation (1.8-53.3%) were the most commonly occurring adverse effects with cantharidin treatment. CONCLUSION: Topical cantharidin demonstrated clearance of warts, particularly in combination with podophyllotixin and salicylic acid, and modest benefit for pediatric molluscum contagiosum with good tolerability and safety.
Authors: Francesco Lacarrubba; Giuseppe Micali; Andrea Calogero Trecarichi; Enrica Quattrocchi; Giuseppe Monfrecola; Anna Elisa Verzì Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2022-10-14
Authors: Marcelo Grossi Araújo; Geraldo Magela Magalhães; Lucas Campos Garcia; Érica Cristina Vieira; Maria de Lourdes Ribeiro de Carvalho-Leite; Antônio Carlos Martins Guedes Journal: An Bras Dermatol Date: 2021-02-16 Impact factor: 1.896
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