Cantharidin therapy for molluscum contagiosum in children

Beetle juice: a guide for the use of cantharidin in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is an increasingly common cutaneous viral infection that primarily affects the pediatric population. MC lesions are benign, and most cases resolve within 6-9 months. Nonetheless, many patients and their parents seek active treatment of MC because of local pain, pruritus, embarrassment due to the lesions, or desire to reduce transmission to siblings. Individuals with atopic dermatitis are predisposed to severe and protracted MC, and immunocompromised patients may never clear the infection without treatment. Despite the availability of various therapies, no clear best treatment for MC has emerged. Cantharidin is a commonly used and effective therapy for MC that is generally well tolerated and has high rates of parental satisfaction. In this review, current literature regarding MC is summarized and particular focus is placed on the use of cantharidin for treating MC, including a review of the literature and detailed instructions for its use.

Progress in the treatment of hepatitis B and digestive tumors with cantharidin and its analogues

Blister beetle or mylabris, pungent in flavor and toxic in nature, has been used for more than 2000 years as traditional Chinese medicine in China. Cantharidin, an active ingredient of the blister beetle, is an effective therapeutic agent against cancers of the liver, breast, esophagus, lung and intestine, etc. However, it is very toxic. Nocantharidin (NCTD), a derivative of cantharidin first synthesized in China, is a new anti-tumor drug with strong anti-tumor activities and increases the number of while blood cells. Cantharidin can be used in the treatment of hepatitis B and pointed condyloma. This paper reviews the progress in its clinical applications at home and abroad.

Experience in treating molluscum contagiosum in children with imiquimod 5% cream

There is a wide variety of topical or surgical treatment options for molluscum contagiosum (MC). However, treatment in young or anxious children is difficult, time-consuming and often painful. We studied the topical efficacy and tolerance of imiquimod, a topical immune-response modifier, which stimulates the production of interferon-alpha and other cytokines in children with MC. In an open-label, follow-up trial, imiquimod 5% cream was applied three times a week for 16 weeks to 15 children aged 4-11 years with multiple MC. Nine of 13 children (69%) who completed treatment responded. Two patients (15%) showed a complete remission, and seven (54%) had a partial response, with a remarkable reduction of the MC lesions. Four children (31%) showed stable or progressive disease. In three children (23%) with partial remission, the number of mollusca were considerably reduced, thus avoiding surgical treatment. In general, the treatment was well-tolerated, without systemic side-effects. Local side-effects included erythema (85%), itching (75%), burning sensations (23%) and pain (11%). Three children (23%) discontinued treatment because of local side-effects. The results of this study suggest that imiquimod 5% cream is a useful new treatment option for MC in children, especially in severe cases. The dosing schedule and length of treatment requires further evaluation.