Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
08:03

Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles

Published on: December 1, 2016

Imipenem versus targeted therapy in cancer patients

M Aoun1, F Crokaert, M Paesmans

  • 1Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut J. Bordet, Bruxelles, Belgium.

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|January 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

For febrile cancer patients, continuing broad-spectrum antibiotics may be less effective than narrowing the spectrum once the pathogen is identified. Targeted antibiotic therapy showed higher efficacy in treating severe infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often used empirically for febrile cancer patients.
  • Narrowing antibiotic spectrum upon pathogen identification is a potential alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and costs of empiric broad-spectrum versus targeted antibiotic therapy in non-neutropenic cancer patients with severe infections.

Main Methods:

  • Non-neutropenic cancer patients with severe infections received empiric imipenem.
  • Patients with microbiologically documented infections after 72 hours were randomized to continue imipenem or switch to targeted therapy.

Main Results:

  • After 72 hours of empiric imipenem, 76.1% of patients improved.
  • Randomized patients showed higher efficacy with continued imipenem (88.5%) compared to targeted therapy (72.1%; P = 0.025).
  • Bacterial and fungal superinfections were similar between groups. Costs varied based on pathogen type.

Conclusions:

  • Continuing broad-spectrum imipenem demonstrated higher efficacy than targeted therapy in this patient group.
  • Cost-effectiveness of targeted therapy depends on the specific gram-positive or gram-negative infection.

More Related Videos

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method12:03

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method

Published on: April 18, 2019

Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy for Mouse Models of Pleural Dissemination05:39

Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy for Mouse Models of Pleural Dissemination

Published on: February 9, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...