Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion for treatment of candidemia in immunocompromised patients

The efficacy and safety of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD; Amphotec, Sequus Pharmaceuticals, Menlo Park, CA), a lipid complex of amphotericin B, were evaluated in immunocompromised patients with candidemia. These patients were recruited from five open-label clinical trials of ABCD therapy for fungal infections subsequent to bone marrow transplantation, hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, solid-organ transplantation, or other severe underlying disorders. ABCD was given intravenously in a median daily dose of 3.9 mg/kg for < or =72 days. Response rates were as follows: 53% overall (n = 88), 66% for patients with candidemia alone (n = 67), and 14% for patients with disseminated candidemia (n = 21). Nephrotoxicity occurred in 16% of patients, with either doubling of the baseline serum creatinine level or an increase of > or =1 mg/dL or a > or =50% decrease in calculated creatinine clearance. On average, there were no significant changes in the levels of serum creatinine or bilirubin from baseline to the end of treatment. In conclusion, ABCD was safe and effective for treating immunocompromised patients with candidemia.