Abstract

ISAVUCONAZONIUM AND RESISTANT FUNGAL INFECTIONS - A REVIEW

Das S, Sehgal VK, Vardhan A

Abstract

Fungi are non-motile eukaryotic cells, which cannot photosynthesise and many are parasitic in nature. Although many are economically important, edible, useful in production, about 50% are pathogenic to human beings. Human fungal infections have increased dramatically in incidence and severity in recent years. The recent advances in surgery, cancer treatment, HIV, increased use of antimicrobials have left patients vulnerable for these infections. Nowadays, Invasive fungal infections, specially by Aspergillus and Mucorales are causing morbidity and mortality in patients of organ transplantation and stem cell transplantation. Several new antifungal drugs have been launched recently, but still there is difficulty to treat which may be due to antifungal resistance, certain organs like eye show poor penetration of these drugs, whereas treatment is futher hampered due to appearance of severe adverse effects. Isovuconazonium (Cresemba, Astellas Pharma Inc), a broad spectrum triazole agent, which is administered as a water soluble prodrug, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for treating adults suffering from invasive aspergillosis mucormycosis. This drug has also shown actions against other species like Candida alongwith better tolerability. Phase 3 trials show Isovuconazonium to be a possible option among current therapies.

Keywords: Isovuconazonium, invasive fungal infections, Aspergillosis.