TY - JOUR
T1 - Cantharidin
T2 - A comprehensive review of the clinical literature
AU - Torbeck, Richard
AU - Pan, Michael
AU - DeMoll, Elle
AU - Levitt, Jacob
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Background: Cantharidin is a topical vesicant that causes intraepidermal acantholysis with clinical application that includes the removal of warts, molluscum contagiosum (MC), calluses, and acquired perforating dermatoses. Objective: To provide a comprehensive literature review of the efficacy and safety of cantharidin in the management of various cutaneous conditions. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted using the term "cantharidin" combined with "warts", "plantar warts", "verruca vulgaris", "periungal", "subungual", "topical treatment", "topical therapy for warts", molluscum contagiosum", "perforating collagenosis," and "acantholysis." Results: A total of 749 articles were identified and 37 articles met inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies show that cantharidin is an effective and safe treatment for removal of warts and MC. Several studies also show potential novel applications of cantharidin in acquired perforating dermatosis, acute herpes zoster, and leishmaniasis. Adverse effects are generally mild but common and should be monitored, particularly in the pediatric population. Limitations: There is a paucity of high-powered clinical studies involving the use of cantharidin. Conclusion: Topical cantharidin is a safe and effective treatment for warts, molluscum contagiosum, and callus removal, with promising uses in perforating dermatoses and leishmaniasis.
AB - Background: Cantharidin is a topical vesicant that causes intraepidermal acantholysis with clinical application that includes the removal of warts, molluscum contagiosum (MC), calluses, and acquired perforating dermatoses. Objective: To provide a comprehensive literature review of the efficacy and safety of cantharidin in the management of various cutaneous conditions. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted using the term "cantharidin" combined with "warts", "plantar warts", "verruca vulgaris", "periungal", "subungual", "topical treatment", "topical therapy for warts", molluscum contagiosum", "perforating collagenosis," and "acantholysis." Results: A total of 749 articles were identified and 37 articles met inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies show that cantharidin is an effective and safe treatment for removal of warts and MC. Several studies also show potential novel applications of cantharidin in acquired perforating dermatosis, acute herpes zoster, and leishmaniasis. Adverse effects are generally mild but common and should be monitored, particularly in the pediatric population. Limitations: There is a paucity of high-powered clinical studies involving the use of cantharidin. Conclusion: Topical cantharidin is a safe and effective treatment for warts, molluscum contagiosum, and callus removal, with promising uses in perforating dermatoses and leishmaniasis.
KW - Acantholysis
KW - Cantharidin
KW - Molluscum contagiosum
KW - Perforating collagenosis
KW - Periungal warts
KW - Verruca vulgaris
KW - Vesicant
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84903533343&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Review article
C2 - 24945640
AN - SCOPUS:84903533343
SN - 1087-2108
VL - 20
JO - Dermatology Online Journal
JF - Dermatology Online Journal
IS - 6
ER -