Posaconazole in the management of refractory invasive fungal infections

Review

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Authors: Stefan Langner, Philipp B Staber, Peter Neumeister

Published Date September 2008 Volume 2008:4(4) Pages 747 - 757

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S3329

Stefan Langner, Philipp B Staber, Peter Neumeister

Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria

Abstract: The rising incidence of invasive fungal infections due to the expanding population of immunocompromised hosts and the increasing prevalence of fungal resistance has led to the need for novel antifungal agents. Posaconazole, a new member of the triazole class has demonstrated in vitro activity against a broad spectrum of fungi and clinical activity against various fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., zygomycetes, and Fusarium spp. To date, posaconazole has been approved for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in stem cell transplant recipients with acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) and neutropenic patients receiving intensive induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. In addition, it has been licensed for use in oropharyngeal candidiasis and for salvage therapy in invasive aspergillosis, fusariosis, coccidioidomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, and mycetoma. Posaconazole is the only azole with activity against zygomycetes and other difficult-to-treat fungi, representing a potential treatment option for refractory invasive mycosis. This article reviews available preclinical and clinical data of posaconazole, focusing on its role in the teatment of refractory invasive fungal infections.

Keywords: posaconazole, refractory invasive fungal infections, salvage therapy

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