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Current Evidence on Voriconazole Exposure and Individualized Therapy for Aspergillosis
Ziyu Wu1,2, Zhiqiang Lin1, Li Jiang2
1Department of Pharmacy, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
With emerging global antifungal resistance, voriconazole is a preferred first-line antifungal agent for the treatment of aspergillosis, and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is frequently utilized during therapy. This review examines evidence from international guidelines, clinical studies, case reports, and population pharmacokinetic analyses to investigate the multifactorial drivers influencing voriconazole therapy. Current guidelines demonstrate variability in recommended target trough concentrations, though a range of 1.0-5.5 mg/L appears as a frequently cited reference interval; however, these recommendations are often derived from heterogeneous populations rather than being specific to aspergillosis. Plasma voriconazole concentration alone may not fully account for the variability in clinical outcomes. Efficacy and safety are influenced by multiple factors, including CYP2C19 polymorphisms, disease severity, host immune status, and infection site. Consequently, the interpretation of a single concentration threshold may be limited. A multidimensional approach-considering genotype, host factors, inflammatory status, and dynamic clinical context-is a component of individualized therapy for characterizing treatment response and toxicity risk. Within this framework, TDM is an established tool for assessing systemic exposure, and its integration with clinical and biological information is relevant for clinical assessment. Altogether, these observations underscore the value of integrated clinical assessment while identifying remaining evidence gaps for further investigation.
Insights
Voriconazole therapy for aspergillosis requires more than just drug levels. Individual patient factors significantly impact treatment effectiveness and safety, necessitating a comprehensive approach beyond standard therapeutic drug monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Voriconazole is a key antifungal for aspergillosis, with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) commonly used.
- Global antifungal resistance necessitates optimized voriconazole use.
- Existing guidelines for voriconazole target concentrations vary and may not be specific to aspergillosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review multifactorial drivers influencing voriconazole therapy in aspergillosis.
- To evaluate the role of TDM in optimizing voriconazole treatment outcomes.
- To identify gaps in current understanding for individualized voriconazole therapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of international guidelines, clinical studies, case reports, and pharmacokinetic analyses.
- Analysis of factors affecting voriconazole efficacy and safety.
- Evaluation of the utility of TDM in clinical practice.
Main Results:
- Recommended voriconazole trough concentrations (1.0-5.5 mg/L) are inconsistently applied across diverse patient groups.
- Plasma voriconazole levels alone do not fully explain clinical outcome variability.
- CYP2C19 genotype, disease severity, immune status, and infection site are critical influencing factors.
Conclusions:
- A multidimensional approach integrating genotype, host factors, and clinical context is crucial for individualized voriconazole therapy.
- TDM is valuable for assessing exposure but must be combined with clinical and biological data.
- Further research is needed to address evidence gaps in optimizing voriconazole treatment.
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