Profile
General Information
Ycanth (cantharidin) topical solution is a chemical vesicant (dermal blister) isolated from the blister beetles.
Ycanth is specifically indicated for the topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.
Ycanth is supplied as a a topical solution in an applicator.
Ycanth is not for oral, mucosal, or ophthalmic use. Avoid contact with the treatment area, including oral contact, after Ycanth treatment. Do not apply Ycanth near the eyes.
If Ycanth contacts any unintended surface, including healthy skin, immediately remove by wiping with a cotton swab or gauze. Avoid other topical products on treated areas until 24 hours after Ycanth treatment or until washing.
Avoid fire, flame or smoking near lesion(s) during treatment.
Dosing/Administration
- Use nitrile or vinyl gloves and eye protection during preparation and administration.
- Apply topically as a single application to cover each lesion. Use no more than two Ycanth applicators during a single treatment session.
- Remove with soap and water 24 hours after treatment. Administer Ycanth every 3 weeks as needed.
- Do not cover any treated lesions with bandages.
- If severe blistering, severe pain, or other severe adverse reactions occur, remove Ycanth with soap and water prior to 24 hours after treatment.
Mechanism of Action
Ycanth (cantharidin) topical solution is a chemical vesicant (dermal blister) isolated from the blister beetles. The exact mechanism of action of cantharidin in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum is unknown. However, it works by causing a blister to form on the wart or growth, eventually lifting it off the skin.
Side Effects
Adverse effects associated with the use of Ycanth may include, but are not limited to, the following:
local skin reactions at the application site, including:
- vesiculation
- pain
- pruritus
- scabbing
- erythema
- discoloration
- application site dryness
- edema
- erosion
Clinical Trial Results
The FDA approval of Ycanth was based on results from two identical Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trials (CAMP-1 and CAMP-2) that evaluated the safety and efficacy of Ycanth compared to placebo in patients two years of age and older diagnosed with molluscum.
In both trials, a clinically and statistically significant number of patients treated with Ycanth met the primary endpoint of complete clearance of all treatable molluscum lesions. In CAMP-1, 46% of participants treated with Ycanth achieved complete clearance of molluscum lesions compared to 18% of participants in the vehicle group. In CAMP-2, 54% of participants treated with Ycanth achieved complete clearance of molluscum lesions compared to 13% of participants in the vehicle group.
Additional post-hoc analyses of the CAMP trials showed that complete clearance of all lesions was statistically significantly higher in the Ycanth group than vehicle across all body regions, including areas deemed most sensitive. An additional post-hoc analysis demonstrated that the percentage of subjects with complete molluscum clearance at the end of the trial was statistically significantly higher across all age groups for Ycanth -treated subjects compared to subjects treated with vehicle.