"The raw material is very caustic and requires extreme safety precautions when handling, but once compounded with collodion, it becomes a very effective agent for use in dermatology," Ms. Grafelman of Delasco Dermatologic Lab and Supply noted.
Cantharidin is also being researched for a variety of other uses. Clinicaltrials.gov lists recently completed randomized, placebo-controlled trials for treating molluscum contagiosum in children with cantharidin and for treating cutaneous verucca vulgaris with cantharidin along with liquid nitrogen in adults.
Cantharidin has also recently been studied for its effects on cancer cells and parasites (Int. J. Oncol. 2010;37:1243-50; Exp. Parasitol. 2010;126:126-9 ).
Dr. Mancini and Dr. Sidbury said they have no financial interests in cantharidin.