The echinocandins: three useful choices or three too many?
Echinocandins act by inhibiting 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthesis in the fungal cell wall. The three licensed agents in this class, namely anidulafungin, caspofungin and micafungin, have a favourable pharmacological profile. These agents are narrow spectrum with clinically relevant activity against Candida and Aspergillus spp. Several trials have established the non-inferiority of these agents over existing agents in the treatment of invasive fungal infections. Caspofungin is also licensed for empirical antifungal therapy of presumed fungal infections in patients with febrile neutropenia. This paper reviews the literature on echinocandins.
Bal
A M
AM
Department of Medical Microbiology, Crosshouse Hospital, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Kilmarnock KA2 0BE, UK. abhijit.bal@nhs.net
D000077612:Anidulafungin; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077336:Caspofungin; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D054714:Echinocandins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D055666:Lipopeptides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077551:Micafungin
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D000077612:Anidulafungin; D000077336:Caspofungin; D000077551:Micafungin