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Iclaprim: a novel dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor for skin and soft tissue infections

Andrew Morgan1, Christine Cofer, Dennis L Stevens

  • 1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boise, Idaho, USA and, Idaho State University School of Pharmacy, Pocatello, Idaho 83702, USA.

Future Microbiology
|March 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This review covers new antibiotics for drug-resistant infections like MRSA and VRE. It details iclaprim, a novel agent, and its efficacy against skin infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat, complicating treatment of severe infections caused by pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
  • Existing treatment options are limited for infections caused by these multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and investigational agents targeting resistant Gram-positive pathogens.
  • To provide a detailed analysis of iclaprim, a novel dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor.
  • To evaluate the clinical efficacy of iclaprim for skin and skin-structure infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of US FDA-approved and investigational agents.
  • Detailed description of iclaprim's chemistry, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and spectrum.
  • Analysis of Phase III randomized, controlled trials comparing iclaprim to linezolid for skin infections.

Main Results:

  • Iclaprim is a novel dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor with fast-track approval status.
  • Clinical trials demonstrated iclaprim's efficacy in treating skin and skin-structure infections.
  • The drug shows potential for treating other severe infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Iclaprim represents a promising new therapeutic option for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive bacteria.
  • Further evaluation may establish its role in treating a broader range of severe infections.
  • The development of novel agents like iclaprim is crucial to combatting the rising threat of antibiotic resistance.

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