Related Experiment Videos
Trends in immunotherapy of fungal infections
1Department of Medicine, Catholic University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Fungal infections are the primary cause of mortality in patients with severely impaired host defense mechanisms, such as neutropenic patients with acute leukemia or those who have undergone bone marrow transplantation. In view of the unacceptably high mortality due to disseminated candidiasis, it is rational to focus on augmentation of host defense mechanisms in addition to conventional antifungal therapy. In vitro, a variety of immunomodulators, including tumor necrosis factor, interferon-g, and the hematopoietic growth factors, enhance the killing of Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Various studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of immunomodulatory therapy in animal models of disseminated candidiasis. For further preclinical and clinical studies, recombinant interferon-g, interleukin-1, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and the other hematopoietic growth factors are currently the most promising immunomodulators.
Insights
Augmenting host defense mechanisms with immunomodulators shows promise for treating invasive fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. These therapies, alongside antifungals, may reduce mortality from candidiasis.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Fungal infections cause high mortality in immunocompromised patients, including those with neutropenia and leukemia.
- Disseminated candidiasis presents a significant treatment challenge with high mortality rates.
- Conventional antifungal therapy alone is insufficient for severely impaired host defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of immunomodulatory therapies to enhance host defense against fungal infections.
- To identify promising immunomodulators for preclinical and clinical investigation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies evaluated the efficacy of various immunomodulators against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Animal models of disseminated candidiasis were used to assess the therapeutic benefits of immunomodulatory agents.
Main Results:
- Immunomodulators such as tumor necrosis factor, interferon-g, and hematopoietic growth factors demonstrated enhanced fungal killing in vitro.
- Studies in animal models indicated beneficial effects of immunomodulatory therapy in disseminated candidiasis.
Conclusions:
- Immunomodulatory therapy is a rational adjunct to conventional antifungal treatment for invasive fungal infections.
- Recombinant interferon-g, interleukin-1, and hematopoietic growth factors are promising candidates for further research and clinical application.