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Recent progress on the topical therapy of onychomycosis

Michael R K Alley1, Stephen J Baker, Karl R Beutner

  • 1Anacor Pharmaceuticals, 1060 East Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA.

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|January 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Onychomycosis, a common fungal nail infection, is difficult to treat due to poor drug penetration. Novel antifungals like AN-2690 show promise for improved nail penetration and durable cure rates.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

  • Onychomycosis is a prevalent fungal nail infection causing nail damage.
  • Current treatments (oral and topical) have limited durable cure rates.
  • Treatment challenges stem from the infection's deep location and poor drug penetration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the limitations of existing onychomycosis therapies.
  • To explore novel drug delivery technologies for enhanced antifungal penetration.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of new antifungal agents designed for nail penetration.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the development of novel antifungal agents.
  • Focused on technologies facilitating drug penetration through the nail plate.
  • Clinical trials were conducted to assess promising candidates like AN-2690.

Main Results:

  • AN-2690, an oxaborole antifungal, demonstrated potential for nail plate penetration.
  • Promising results were observed in ongoing clinical trials for AN-2690.
  • The study highlights progress in developing antifungals with improved pharmacokinetic properties.

Conclusions:

  • Novel antifungal development is crucial for improving onychomycosis treatment outcomes.
  • Targeting nail penetration is a key strategy for effective onychomycosis therapy.
  • AN-2690 represents a promising advancement in treating fungal nail infections.

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