Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus
Published on: April 19, 2017
Early clinical experience with anidulafungin at a large tertiary care medical center
Benjamin D Brielmaier1, Ed Casabar, Christine M Kurtzeborn
1Department of Pharmacy, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Study Objective:
To evaluate early clinical experience with anidulafungin.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Setting:
Large, university-affiliated, tertiary care medical center.
Patients:
All patients receiving anidulafungin between July 15, 2006, and January 15, 2007.
Measurements And Main Results:
Thirty-five patients received at least one dose of anidulafungin. Safety and tolerability were evaluated in all patients; efficacy outcomes were assessed in 13 patients who had a documented fungal infection and received anidulafungin for a minimum of 5 days. Common conditions at baseline were hepatic dysfunction (25 patients [71%]), severe sepsis (17 patients [49%]), and solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (10 patients [29%]). Eight patients (23%) were receiving drugs with the potential to interact with echinocandins other than anidulafungin. Seventeen (49%) of the 35 patients received anidulafungin as empiric antifungal therapy. Anidulafungin was used to treat invasive candidiasis in seven patients (20%) and candidemia in 10 patients (29%); Candida albicans or Candida glabrata was isolated most frequently in these two infections combined (7 isolates each [41%]/17 infections). A favorable efficacy outcome was noted in 10 (77%) of 13 evaluable patients. One patient developed breakthrough Candida parapsilosis fungemia while receiving anidulafungin. Overall, anidulafungin was well tolerated, with only one patient having an infusion- related reaction. Anidulafungin was also well tolerated among patients receiving concomitant metronidazole.
Conclusion:
Anidulafungin was well tolerated and produced favorable outcomes in the majority of the patients evaluated. The availability of anidulafungin makes it a feasible option for antifungal therapy, particularly in patients who have hepatic dysfunction and in those who are receiving drugs than can interact with other echinocandins.
Insights
Anidulafungin demonstrated good tolerability and favorable outcomes in most patients with fungal infections. It is a viable antifungal option, especially for those with hepatic dysfunction or drug interactions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Echinocandin antifungals are crucial for treating invasive fungal infections.
- Anidulafungin represents a newer option in this class.
- Early clinical data are essential for understanding its real-world application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the early clinical experience with anidulafungin.
- Evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy in a diverse patient population.
- Identify patient subgroups who may benefit most from anidulafungin.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study design.
- Inclusion of patients receiving anidulafungin at a tertiary care center.
- Evaluation of safety, tolerability, and efficacy outcomes.
Main Results:
- Anidulafungin was administered to 35 patients, with 13 evaluable for efficacy.
- High rates of baseline comorbidities including hepatic dysfunction and severe sepsis.
- Favorable efficacy outcomes in 77% of evaluable patients, with good tolerability and few adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Anidulafungin is well-tolerated and effective in the majority of patients.
- It is a feasible antifungal therapy, particularly for patients with hepatic dysfunction or potential drug interactions.
- Supports the use of anidulafungin in clinical practice for invasive fungal infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Antifungal Agents
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
01:15Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions