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Use of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion in children

E S Sandler1, M M Mustafa, I Tkaczewski

  • 1University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and Children's Medical Center of Dallas, USA.

Insights

Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) showed significantly less renal toxicity in children with febrile neutropenia compared to traditional amphotericin B. This new lipid-based antifungal agent was well-tolerated and effective in high-risk pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Fungal infections pose a significant risk to children with febrile neutropenia.
  • Traditional amphotericin B, while effective, is associated with substantial renal toxicity.
  • Novel antifungal formulations are needed to improve treatment outcomes and reduce adverse effects in pediatric oncology patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD), a new lipid-based formulation, in pediatric patients.
  • To compare the renal toxicity of ABCD with conventional amphotericin B in children with febrile neutropenia.
  • To assess the tolerability and effectiveness of ABCD in children with presumed or proven fungal infections across various clinical scenarios.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized trial compared ABCD to amphotericin B in 49 children with febrile neutropenia.
  • An additional 70 children received ABCD in open-label studies for reasons including treatment failure, renal impairment, or dose-escalation.
  • Comprehensive data on treatment response and toxicity were collected for all participants.

Main Results:

  • The randomized trial demonstrated significantly lower renal toxicity with ABCD (12.0%) compared to amphotericin B (52.4%, P = 0.003).
  • In open-label studies, 80% of patients experienced adverse symptoms, primarily infusion-related, with only 12% reporting nephrotoxicity.
  • ABCD was tolerated at doses up to five times higher than conventional amphotericin B.

Conclusions:

  • Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) offers a favorable safety profile, particularly regarding renal toxicity, in pediatric patients.
  • ABCD is well-tolerated and effective, even at higher doses, in managing fungal infections in high-risk children.
  • Further randomized trials are warranted to fully establish the role of ABCD and other liposomal antifungal agents in pediatric care.
Abstract

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