Ycanth FDA Approval History
Last updated by Judith Stewart, BPharm on July 24, 2023.
FDA Approved: Yes (First approved July 21, 2023)
Brand name: Ycanth
Generic name: cantharidin
Dosage form: Topical Solution
Previous Name: VP-102
Company: Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Treatment for: Molluscum Contagiosum
Ycanth (cantharidin) is a topical terpenoid for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.
- Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin disease characterized by distinctive raised, skin-toned-to-pink-colored lesions called mollusca that can cause pain, inflammation, itching and bacterial infection.
- Cantharidin is a vesicant secreted from beetles belonging to the order of Coleoptera and the family of Meloidae (commonly known as blister beetles) and has been formulated for topical use in the treatment of warts and molluscum contagiosum for decades. Cantharidin is thought to work by the activation of neutral serine proteases that cause degeneration of the desmosmal plaque, leading to detachment of tonofilaments from desmosomes. This process leads to acantholysis and intraepidermal blistering, and nonspecific lysis of skin. Lesions heal without scarring, as acantholysis is intraepidermal.
- Ycanth is a proprietary drug-device combination product that contains a good manufacturing practice (GMP)-controlled formulation of cantharidin (0.7% w/v) delivered via a single-use applicator that allows for precise topical dosing and targeted administration.
- FDA approval of Ycanth is based on the results of the CAMP-1 and CAMP-2 clinical trials. In CAMP-1, 46% of participants treated with VP-102 (Ycanth) achieved complete clearance of molluscum lesions compared to 18% of participants in the vehicle group, and in CAMP-2, 54% of participants treated with VP-102 achieved complete clearance of molluscum lesions compared to 13% of participants in the vehicle group.
- Ycanth is administered as a single application directly to each lesion and removed with soap and water after 24 hours. Treatments can be reapplied every 3 weeks as needed.
- Warnings and precautions associated with Ycanth include life threatening or fatal toxicities if administered orally, ocular toxicity if there is contact with the eyes, and local skin reactions including vesiculation, pruritus, pain, discoloration, and erythema. Ycanth is flammable, even after drying and patients should avoid fire, flame, or smoking near the lesions until Ycanth is removed.
- Common adverse reactions include local skin reactions at the application site: vesiculation, pain, pruritus, scabbing, erythema, discoloration, dryness, edema, and erosion.
References:
Ycanth. Prescribing Information. Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2023 https://verrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/USPI_FPI-0003_YCANTH.pdf Accessed July 24, 2023
Cantharidin Revisited: A Blistering Defense of an Ancient Medicine JAMA Dermatology October 2001 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/478535 Accessed July 24, 2023
Development timeline for Ycanth
Further information
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