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The fungal cell wall as a target for the development of new antifungal therapies

Juan Carlos G Cortés1, M-Ángeles Curto1, Vanessa S D Carvalho1

  • 1Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

Biotechnology Advances
|February 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal infections are a growing threat. Targeting the fungal cell wall, essential for fungal integrity and absent in humans, offers a promising strategy for developing new antifungal drugs to combat resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Invasive mycoses are a significant healthcare-associated infection globally.
  • The fungal cell wall is crucial for fungal integrity and absent in mammalian cells, making it an ideal therapeutic target.
  • Echinocandins target fungal cell wall biosynthesis but resistance is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fungal cell wall as a target for novel antifungal compounds.
  • To discuss the challenges posed by antifungal resistance in invasive mycoses.
  • To highlight promising cell wall inhibitors in development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of fungal cell wall structure and function.
  • Analysis of current antifungal therapies and resistance mechanisms.
  • Survey of experimental and clinical stage antifungal compounds targeting the cell wall.

Main Results:

  • The fungal cell wall is essential for fungal survival and a validated target for antifungal drugs.
  • Antifungal resistance necessitates the development of new therapeutic strategies.
  • Several novel cell wall inhibitors are under investigation for treating invasive fungal infections.

Conclusions:

  • The fungal cell wall remains a critical target for developing new antifungal agents.
  • Addressing antifungal resistance requires continuous innovation in drug discovery.
  • Promising new compounds targeting the cell wall offer hope for improved treatment of invasive mycoses.
Keywords:
Antifungal drugsCombination therapyEchinocandinsFungal cell wallFungal drug resistanceFungiGlucan synthaseInvasive fungal infectionMultidrug-resistant fungal speciesMycoses

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