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Doripenem: an expected arrival in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens

Garyphallia Poulakou1, Helen Giamarellou

  • 1University General Hospital ATTIKON, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens Medical School, 124 62 Athens, Greece. gpoul@med.uoa.gr

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|May 2, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Doripenem shows potent activity against challenging Gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This novel carbapenem offers improved efficacy and stability compared to existing options for multidrug-resistant infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Increasing threat of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae).
  • Limited pipeline of new drugs targeting these resistant pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Evaluate doripenem, a novel carbapenem, for treating Gram-negative bacterial infections.
  • Review mechanisms of resistance and emerging anti-Gram-negative drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search for new carbapenems, antibiotics, doripenem, and related resistance mechanisms.
  • Focused on multidrug-resistant pathogens, antipseudomonal antibiotics, and epidemiology.

Main Results:

  • Doripenem exhibits broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative bacteria, comparable to meropenem, and retains Gram-positive coverage like imipenem.
  • Demonstrates rapid bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa with lower MIC values than meropenem.
  • Shows stability against beta-lactamases, low adverse event potential, and superior in vitro activity against P. aeruginosa and A. baumanni compared to current carbapenems.

Conclusions:

  • Doripenem presents a promising therapeutic option against difficult-to-treat Gram-negative bacterial infections.
  • Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic optimization may enhance treatment efficacy for borderline resistant strains.

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