title: The 'cephalosporin era' of triazole therapy: isavuconazole, a welcomed newcomer for the treatment of invasive fungal infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Invasive fungal infections remain frequent life-threatening complications in immunocompromised patients. Each of the currently available antifungals has limitations in terms of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, spectrum of efficacy, and tolerability. Isavuconazole (ISA) is a new generation, broad-spectrum triazole that has a favorable spectrum of efficacy and is available in both intravenous and oral forms. Recent Phase III clinical studies showed that ISA had comparable efficacy to voriconazole for the treatment of a variety of mould infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes the literature on the use of ISA. PubMed was searched for publications in English from 2006 to December 2014 using the terms 'ISA', 'BAL4815', and 'BAL 8557'. Relevant publications were reviewed and reference lists were examined for further publications. Conference abstracts from the meeting during 2013 - 2014 were also reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ISA is a new broad spectrum triazole antifungal for the treatment of invasive fungal disease available as oral and intravenous formulations, and the ability to be administered as a once-daily regimen. ISA has broad-spectrum in vitro activity, favorable pharmacokinetic profile, and good tolerability. ISA may be considered for primary treatment for a vast variety of invasive fungal infections. Further study of ISA given as prophylaxis, combination, or salvage therapy is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Mahidol University, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital , Bangkok , Thailand.
authors.forename: Maria N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Chitasombat
authors.forename: Dimitrios P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kontoyiannis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009570:Nitriles; D011725:Pyridines; D014230:Triazoles; C508735:isavuconazole
keywords: Aspergillus; Mucorales; isavuconazole; pharmacodynamics; pharmacokinetics; triazole