Newer treatments for fungal infections.
Invasive fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised cancer patients, and until recently, treatment options have been limited. The poor outcomes of these infections, and the increased incidence of disease, particularly due to resistant and less common fungal isolates, necessitate the development of new agents. Antifungal drug development had been a slow process since the release of amphotericin B over 40 years ago. However, since 1995, six new systemic antifungals have been approved: three lipid formulations of amphotericin B, the initial second-generation triazole, and the first two approved agents in a new class of antifungals with a novel mechanism of action, the echinocandins. These newer agents, and several others currently in development, offer improved tolerability and safety profiles and extend the spectrum of coverage to resistant and less-common fungal infections. The authors describe each of these new compounds and discuss how they fit into the overall management of fungal infections in patients with cancer.
Knapp
Katherine M
KM
Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis,TN 38105, USA. katherine.knapp@stjude.org
Flynn
Patricia M
PM
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009017:Morbidity; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*
D000935:Antifungal Agents