Nonthermal Atmospheric Plasma Effectively Treats Pediatric Skin Conditions

Use of nonthermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) is an effective treatment for pediatric molluscum contagiosum (MC) and verruca vulgaris (VV), according to study results presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Association 2023 conference, held from March 17 to March 21, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Researchers assessed data from 17 patients between the ages of 4 and 21 years who presented with 149 lesions (MC, n=32) and (VV, n=117). Lesions were present on multiple areas of the body, excluding the face or genitals.

The group was divided into 2 treatment arms. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either NTAP or a current standard of care (SOC) therapy. The SOC therapy consisted of cantharidin for MC and cryotherapy for VV. Lesion response to treatment was the primary outcome. Incidents of adverse events (AE) and reports of pain during or after treatment were also assessed.

Participants in the NTAP arm were treated with the device for 2 minutes per treatment, which occurred at 4-week intervals. Those in the NTAP arm received a maximum of 3 treatments. They were evaluated 4 weeks after their final treatment to determine how lesions responded after cessation.

There was no statistically significant difference between the interventions (P =.534). Lesions treated with SOC showed either no response (12.2%), partial response (27%), or complete response (60.8%). Lesions treated with NTAP showed either no response (10.7%), partial response (36%), or complete response (53.3%).

Participants in the SOC arm reported significantly more AEs than in the NTAP arm (P <.001), particularly more reports of pain (P <.001) and redness at the treatment site (P =.017).

Researchers conclude, “Results of this study demonstrate that NTAP is an efficacious and painless intervention for the treatment of MC and VV.”