Caspofungin for the treatment of candidaemia in patients with haematological malignancies.
This study was prospectively conducted in 11 haematology divisions over a 2-year period to evaluate the efficacy of caspofungin in 24 neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies (HM) and candidaemia. These patients had received chemotherapy for HM and were neutropenic (PNN < 0.5 x 10(9)/L) for a median of 12 days (2-41) before candidaemia. The patients received caspofungin for a median duration of 12 days (range 6-26), obtaining a favourable overall response of 58%. At 30 days, 11 patients had died (46%); candidaemia was responsible for mortality in six patients (25%). These results suggest that treatment of candidaemia with caspofungin in neutropenic HM was efficacious, as it is in non-haematological subgroups.
Pagano
L
L
Haematology and Microbiology Institutes, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. lpagano@rm.unicatt.it
Fianchi
L
L
Fanci
R
R
Candoni
A
A
Caira
M
M
Posteraro
B
B
Morselli
M
M
Valentini
C G
CG
Farina
G
G
Mitra
M E
ME
Offidani
M
M
Sanguinetti
M
M
Tosti
M E
ME
Nosari
A
A
Leone
G
G
Viale
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000077336:Caspofungin; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D054714:Echinocandins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016469:Fungemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D055666:Lipopeptides; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D000077336:Caspofungin