New molluscum contagiosum treatments on horizon
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Two new treatment options for molluscum contagiosum could be available in the near future as new drug applications for VP-102 and berdazimer gel have recently been submitted to the FDA.
“[Molluscum] is the third most common skin infection in children and the peak incidence is in school age children. It’s estimated to affect about 6 million children in the United States with a prevalence of 5% to 11%,” Mercedes E. Gonzalez, MD, medical director of Pediatric Dermatology of Miami and Pediatric Skin Research LLC, said during a presentation at the Masters of Pediatric Dermatology meeting. “Pediatricians often say this will go away on its own, no treatment needed. But when they’re in our office, they’re going to be treated.”
With FDA approval on the horizon for new treatment options, the idea of not needing to treat molluscum contagiosum could change for many primary care physicians, Gonzalez added.
Current treatment options include topicals such as tretinoin cream, salicylic acid and podophyllotoxin, as well as over-the-counter topical remedies, which include ZymaDerm (Naturopathix), Conzerol (Discovery Pharma) and MolluscomRx (Virobiotics). Systemic treatments, such as cimetidine, and in-office procedures, including cantharidin, trichloroacetic acid, curettage, hyfurcation and liquid nitrogen, are also used.
VP-102, a combination product that administers cantharidin via a single-use applicator device with a 1 mm tip for precise application, is one of the new treatments under FDA review. Pooled data of two clinical trials showed a 50% clearance rate in those treated with VP-102 compared with 15.6% of those treated with vehicle. Additionally, those in the treatment group had 76% fewer lesions at the end of the study.
Berdazimer gel 10.3% is also in the pipeline with a new drug application pending with the FDA. The product releases nitric oxide on application and has an antimicrobial effect. Clinical trials of children with molluscum showed 32.4% of patients had complete clearance at week 12 compared with 19.7% of those in the vehicle group. Overall reduction in lesions was 57.5% for those using berdazimer gel vs. 31% in the vehicle group.
“This is a quality of life issue. Kids and parents lose school and work time due to seeking treatment for this,” Gonzalez said. “There are new treatments on the horizon and there are going to be new tools in our toolbox for molluscum. Hopefully we will have widespread access to them, and wouldn’t it be nice to have a world free of molluscum?”