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Updated: May 10, 2026
07:42
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
Invasive candidiasis: update on current pharmacotherapy options and future perspectives
Athanasios Tragiannidis1, Christos Tsoulas, Kornelius Kerl
1Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, 2nd Pediatric Department, Hematology Oncology Unit, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|June 4, 2013
Summary
Invasive candidiasis (IC) management requires understanding current antifungals and novel therapies like efungumab. Combining these approaches may improve outcomes for life-threatening Candida infections.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Invasive candidiasis (IC), primarily candidemia, significantly increases morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients and ICU admissions.
- Despite identified risk factors and prevention strategies, Candida-related hospitalizations and mortality rates are escalating.
- Current treatment options include four classes of antifungal agents, with novel adjunctive immunotherapies and efungumab showing promise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and emerging therapeutic approaches for candidemia and invasive candidiasis.
- To highlight the importance of understanding Candida pathogenesis and treatment mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antifungal agents and immunotherapies for invasive candidiasis.
- Analysis of novel therapeutic strategies, including monoclonal antibodies and cytokine-based immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Four classes of antifungal agents are available for treating invasive candidiasis.
- Novel approaches such as efungumab and adjunctive cytokine immunotherapy are emerging as promising therapeutic options.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of antifungal agents and Candida infection mechanisms is crucial.
- Emerging therapies, including efungumab and immunotherapy, hold potential for improving patient prognosis in severe invasive Candida infections.
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