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Antifungal agents
1Novartis Research Institute, Brunner Strasse 59, A-1235 Vienna, Austria. neil.ryder@pharma.Novartis.com
Idrugs : the Investigational Drugs Journal
|August 23, 2005
Summary
New antifungal agents are in development, including triazoles and echinocandins. A key finding is the emergence of efflux pump inhibitors to combat antifungal resistance.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The 20th International Congress of Chemotherapy and Infection (ICAAC) Meeting featured updates on approximately 20 antifungal agents.
- While no entirely new antifungal agents were disclosed, several compounds are in late-stage development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize new data and emerging strategies in antifungal drug development presented at the ICAAC Meeting.
- To highlight advancements in combating antifungal resistance through novel mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of presentations on antifungal agents at the ICAAC Meeting.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for novel antifungal compounds and resistance-modulating strategies.
Main Results:
- Late-stage development includes triazoles (voriconazole, Sch-56592) and echinocandins (caspofungin, FK-463).
- Early clinical results for FK-463 showed tolerability and efficacy in AIDS-associated esophageal candidiasis.
- Liposomal nystatin (Nyotran) demonstrated equivalence to amphotericin B with reduced toxicity.
- Intravenous itraconazole showed prophylactic efficacy against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
- Terbinafine exhibited efficacy against fungal mycetoma.
- First presentation of fungal efflux pump inhibitors (e.g., MC-510027, MC-005172) potentiated existing antifungals against Candida spp. and in vivo models.
Conclusions:
- Antifungal drug development continues with promising agents in late-stage trials.
- Inhibitors of fungal efflux pumps represent a significant new strategy to overcome antifungal resistance.