Evaluation of Dermal Irritation and Skin Sensitization by Curaderm

Purpose: To establish whether Curaderm, a topical pharmacotherapy for skin cancer, irritates or sensitizes normal skin. Methods: The dermal irritation and skin sensitization toxicity of Curaderm were investigated in rabbits and guinea pigs in compliance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guideline. To assess dermal irritation, rabbits were dermally exposed to Curaderm for varying periods of time. To assess hypersensitivity, the guinea-pig maximisation test was applied. Results: Curaderm was only negligibly irritating using the criteria of erythema and oedema. Curaderm did not produce any sensitization toxicity of the skin. Conclusion: These studies confirm the non-toxic observations on normal skin experienced in the clinical setting when treating skin cancer and reinforce the specificity of Curaderm towards cancer cells.