title: Pradimicins: a novel class of broad-spectrum antifungal compounds.
abstract: Pradimicins are a new class of antifungal compounds currently undergoing preclinical and early phase I clinical trials. The pradimicin structure is characterized by an aglycone of dihydrobenzo (alpha) naphthacenequinone with substitutions by a D-amino acid and hexose sugar. Pradimicins possess a novel mechanism of action consisting of a specific binding recognition to terminal D-mannosides of the cell wall of Candida albicans, resulting in the formation of a ternary complex consisting of D-mannoside, pradimicin, and calcium that leads to disruption of the integrity of the fungal cell membrane. Pradimicin in the form of BMS-181184 has broad-spectrum in vitro antifungal activity against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus spp., dematiaceous molds, and the Zygomycetes. Fusarium spp. are comparatively resistant to high concentrations of pradimicin. Initial vivo studies indicate that pradimicins have antifungal activity against experimental murine disseminated candidiasis and disseminated aspergillosis. Early studies indicate an excellent therapeutic index with no major end-organ toxicity. Pradimicins warrant further investigation for treatment of opportunistic mycoses in immuno-compromised hosts.
authors.affiliation: Immunocompromised Host Section, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giri
mesh_terms: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000935:Antifungal Agents