The pharmacology and clinical use of caspofungin.

Abstract

Caspofungin was the first echinocandin to be licensed for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. Caspofungin has in vitro and in vivo activity against Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp., which constitute the majority of medically important opportunistic fungal pathogens. Caspofungin inhibits the synthesis of the 1,3-beta-glucan, with resultant osmotic instability and lysis. The pharmacology of caspofungin is relatively complex. Trafficking of drug into tissues is an important determinant of the shape of the concentration-time relationship. Caspofungin has demonstrated efficacy in experimental models of invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis, which reflect its activity in the treatment of oropharyngeal, esophageal and disseminated candidiasis, as well as salvage therapy for patients with invasive aspergillosis.

• Authors: William W Hope, Shmuel Shoham, Thomas J Walsh
• Journal: Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology (Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol) Vol. 3 Issue 2 Pg. 263-74 (Apr 2007) ISSN: 1742-5255 [Print] England
• PMID: 17428155 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents
• Echinocandins
• Lipopeptides
• Peptides, Cyclic
• Caspofungin

Topics

• Animals
• Antifungal Agents (pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Aspergillosis (drug therapy, microbiology)
• Candidiasis (drug therapy, microbiology)
• Caspofungin
• Echinocandins
• Humans
• Lipopeptides
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Molecular Structure
• Peptides, Cyclic (chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Tissue Distribution
• Treatment Outcome