Efficacy and tolerability of an investigational nitric oxide-releasing topical gel in patients with molluscum contagiosum: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Although a variety of ablative, topical, and systemic therapies are used for molluscum contagiosum (MC), none has been well studied or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of topical SB206 (berdazimer sodium gel coadministered with hydrogel) with vehicle.

METHODS

A 12-week, phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial of topical SB206.

RESULTS

A total of 256 patients (mean age, approximately 7 years) participated. Of patients who completed 12 weeks of treatment (n = 217), all MC lesions cleared in 20.0% of patients who received vehicle compared with 13.2%, 41.0%, and 35.1% of patients treated with twice daily SB206 4%, 8%, and 12%, respectively, and 41.9% of patients treated with once daily SB206 12%. Application-site erythema occurred in 10.6% of patients treated with SB206. Application-site reactions were the most common adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation, affecting 2 patients (approximately 4%) in each of the SB206 4%, 8%, and 12% twice daily groups and 0 patients in the vehicle or SB206 12% once daily groups.

LIMITATIONS: A larger study is needed to confirm the efficacy of SB206 12% once daily and provide additional safety assessments.

CONCLUSION

Of the doses studied, SB206 12% applied once daily provided the best balance between MC lesion clearance and tolerability for evaluation in a larger study.