Compassionate Use of Olorofim for Invasive Mold Infections: A Nationwide Observational Study in France

The increasing incidence of resistant invasive mold infections (IMIs) has highlighted the need for novel antifungal agents. Olorofim, a first-in-class orotomide, has shown promising efficacy in a recent phase II study, but clinical data remain limited.

We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study in France, including all patients who received olorofim under compassionate use for proven or probable non-Mucorales IMIs. Eligible patients had IMIs refractory to or intolerance to standard antifungals or no effective treatment options. Efficacy was defined as mycological and clinical control of infection; safety was also assessed.

Between January 2020 and December 2023, 17 patients (median age, 39 years) received olorofim. Underlying conditions included primary immunodeficiency (n = 4) and lung transplantation (n = 5). Sites of infection included the lung (88.2%) and the central nervous system (23.5%), with 5 cases of disseminated disease. In total, 23 strains were identified, mostly Aspergillus fumigatus (34.8%) and Microascus spp (13%). The median duration of prior antifungal therapy was 9.1 months. Olorofim was used primarily for refractory IMIs (70.6%) and in combination with other antifungals in 82.4% of cases. Olorofim minimum inhibitory concentrations were ≤0.5 mg/L in the 8 available isolates. Among 15 evaluable patients, 5 (33.3%) achieved clinical and mycological success, 7 (46.7%) had partial responses, and 3 (20%) experienced treatment failure. The 3-month mortality rate was 29.4% (5 of 17). No severe adverse events were reported.

Olorofim exhibited potential efficacy and good tolerability in patients with refractory IMIs. Further data from ongoing clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.