ECHINOCANDINS - NEW ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS

Authors

  • Catalina Daniela STAN University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” - Iaşi
  • Cristina TUCHILUS University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” - Iaşi
  • C. I. STAN University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” - Iaşi

Abstract

Over the past 10-15 years, the number of clinically available antifungal agents has increased substantially, due to rise in the number of invasive fungal infections, which are a real problem for specialists. Echinocandins are the new class of antifungal agents available for clinical use. This class comprises over 20 natural echinocandins and several semisynthetic ones. Natural echinocandins are not of clinical utility due to their toxicity and low water-solubility (which does not allow obtaining parenteral pharmaceutical forms), although they have good antifungal activity against Candida species. Consequently, semisynthetic echinocandins with minimal toxicity, good antifungal activity and high water-solubility were obtained. All echinocandins inhibit β-1,3-glucan-synthase, an essential component of the fungal cell wall. Echinocandins exhibit potent antifungal activity against key pathogenic fungi, including Candida species, Aspergillus species and Pneumocystis carinii. The available echinocandins lack in vitro activity against Cryptococcus neoformans. The semisynthetic echinocandins have great advantages, among which low toxicity, fast antifungal activity, favorable pharmacokinetics that allow once-daily administration. The echinocandins recently available for clinical use are: caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin.

Author Biographies

  • Catalina Daniela STAN, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” - Iaşi

    Faculty of Pharmacy
    Drug Industry and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Department

  • Cristina TUCHILUS, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” - Iaşi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Microbiology Department

  • C. I. STAN, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” - Iaşi

    Faculty of Medicine                                                                                                                                                              Anatomy Department

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Additional Files

Published

2018-05-09

Issue

Vol. 118 No. 2 (2014): The Medical-Surgical Journal

Section

PHARMACY

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