Antifungals: what's in the pipeline.
The therapeutic landscape for mycotic infections is shifting. New generation azoles that are active against clinically relevant, drug-resistant fungal pathogens have improved bioavailability, half-lives and safety profiles. Acylated cyclic peptide inhibitors of beta(1,3)glucan synthesis with origins as fungal metabolites provide an alternative and highly-selective mode of action, targeting cell-wall biogenesis in important pathogens such as Candida and Aspergillus species. The development, in each structural class, of compounds that have advanced to late-stage clinical trials is summarized in this review.
Tkacz
J S
JS
Merck Research Laboratories, PO Box 2000/R80Y-215, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. jan_tkacz@merck.com
DiDomenico
B
B
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000382:microbiology; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005936:Glucans / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D047071:beta-Glucans
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005936:Glucans; D047071:beta-Glucans; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan