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Immunotherapeutic approaches for fungal infections

Thomas J Williams1, Sunshine Harvey1, Darius Armstrong-James1

  • 1MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, 14 Armstrong Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|November 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections are a global threat, especially in immunocompromised patients. Host-directed immunotherapies offer a promising adjunctive strategy to improve outcomes against resistant fungal diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fungal infections cause significant global morbidity and mortality.
  • Rising incidence linked to increased immunocompromised populations (autoimmune diseases, cancer, transplants).
  • Growing antifungal resistance to triazoles necessitates novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging immunotherapies as adjunctive treatments for fungal infections.
  • To highlight recent developments in host-directed therapies for fungal diseases.
  • To address the challenge of fungal infections in vulnerable patient groups.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current antifungal treatments and their limitations.
  • Exploration of immunotherapeutic approaches including cytokine therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and cellular immunotherapy.
  • Analysis of recent advancements in host-directed strategies.

Main Results:

  • Immunotherapies show potential as adjuncts to conventional antifungals.
  • Cytokine therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and cellular immunotherapy are key areas of exploration.
  • Host-directed therapies are crucial for managing fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Adjunctive immunotherapies are vital for improving patient outcomes in serious fungal infections.
  • Further research and development in immunotherapies are needed to combat rising fungal disease burden.
  • Combining antifungals with host-directed strategies offers a promising future for treating invasive fungal infections.

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