cantharidin   Click here for help

GtoPdb Ligand ID: 13081

Synonyms: Ycanth® (0.7% solution, single-use topical applicator)
Approved drug
cantharidin is an approved drug (FDA (2023))
Comment: Cantharidin is a terpenoid substance that is secreted by insects such as male blister beetles. It is also synthetically manufactured. Cantharidin causes skin blisters in humans, and can be highly toxic if ingested in sufficient quantity.
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2D Structure
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Physico-chemical Properties
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Hydrogen bond acceptors 4
Hydrogen bond donors 0
Rotatable bonds 0
Topological polar surface area 52.6
Molecular weight 196.2
XLogP -0.12
No. Lipinski's rules broken 0
SMILES / InChI / InChIKey
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Canonical SMILES C[C@@]12[C@@H]3CC[C@H]([C@@]2(C)C(=O)OC1=O)O3
Isomeric SMILES C[C@@]12[C@H]3CC[C@@H]([C@@]1(C(=O)OC2=O)C)O3
InChI InChI=1S/C10H12O4/c1-9-5-3-4-6(13-5)10(9,2)8(12)14-7(9)11/h5-6H,3-4H2,1-2H3/t5-,6+,9+,10-
InChI Key DHZBEENLJMYSHQ-XCVPVQRUSA-N
No information available.
Summary of Clinical Use Click here for help
Topically applied formulations containing cantharidin have been used for their vesicant and/or keratolytic effects, to treat warts (verrucae). A new FDA approval was issued in mid-2023 which indicated topical application of cantharidin (0.7%) to treat molluscum contagiosum.
Clinical Trials
Clinical Trial ID Title Type Source Comment References
NCT03017846 Safety and Efficacy of Topical Cantharidin for the Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum, Phase 2 Phase 2 Interventional Montefiore Medical Center
NCT03377803 Cantharidin Application in Molluscum Patients Phase 3 Interventional Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
NCT03981822 A Placebo-Controlled Study Using VP-102 in the Treatment of External Genital Warts Phase 2 Interventional Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.