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Hoenigl M, Arastehfar A, Arendrup MC, Brüggemann R, Carvalho A, Chiller T, Chen S, Egger M, Feys S, Gangneux JP, Gold JAW, Groll AH, Heylen J, Jenks JD, Krause R, Lagrou K, Lamoth F, Prattes J, Sedik S, Wauters J, Wiederhold NP, Thompson GR. Novel antifungals and treatment approaches to tackle resistance and improve outcomes of invasive fungal disease. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007423. [PMID: 38602408 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00074-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFungal infections are on the rise, driven by a growing population at risk and climate change. Currently available antifungals include only five classes, and their utility and efficacy in antifungal treatment are limited by one or more of innate or acquired resistance in some fungi, poor penetration into "sequestered" sites, and agent-specific side effect which require frequent patient reassessment and monitoring. Agents with novel mechanisms, favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles including good oral bioavailability, and fungicidal mechanism(s) are urgently needed. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of novel antifungal agents, with both improved known mechanisms of actions and new antifungal classes, currently in clinical development for treating invasive yeast, mold (filamentous fungi), Pneumocystis jirovecii infections, and dimorphic fungi (endemic mycoses). We further focus on inhaled antifungals and the role of immunotherapy in tackling fungal infections, and the specific PK/pharmacodynamic profiles, tissue distributions as well as drug-drug interactions of novel antifungals. Finally, we review antifungal resistance mechanisms, the role of use of antifungal pesticides in agriculture as drivers of drug resistance, and detail detection methods for antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hoenigl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Amir Arastehfar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Brüggemann
- Department of Pharmacy and Radboudumc Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise in Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tom Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sharon Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, NSW South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthias Egger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Feys
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Centre National de Référence des Mycoses et Antifongiques LA-AspC Aspergilloses chroniques, European Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM EC), Centre hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Jeremy A W Gold
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andreas H Groll
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Children's Hospital, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jannes Heylen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey D Jenks
- Department of Public Health, Durham County, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert Krause
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Lamoth
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Juergen Prattes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sarah Sedik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Joost Wauters
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Hsu AJ, Hanisch BR, Fisher BT, Huppler AR. Pipeline of Novel Antifungals for Invasive Fungal Disease in Transplant Recipients: A Pediatric Perspective. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2024; 13:S68-S79. [PMID: 38417087 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piad115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children undergoing transplantation. There is a growing armamentarium of novel antifungal agents recently approved for use or in late stages of clinical development. The overarching goal of this review is to discuss the mechanisms of action, spectrum of activity, stage of development, and pediatric-specific data for the following agents: encochleated amphotericin B deoxycholate, fosmanogepix, ibrexafungerp, isavuconazole, olorofim, opelconazole, oteseconazole, and rezafungin. Additionally, key drug attributes of these novel agents and their potential future therapeutic roles in pediatric transplant recipients are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Jenh Hsu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin R Hanisch
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children's National, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Brian T Fisher
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anna R Huppler
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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3
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Li D. Structure and Function of the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Transamidase, a Transmembrane Complex Catalyzing GPI Anchoring of Proteins. Subcell Biochem 2024; 104:425-458. [PMID: 38963495 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-58843-3_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring of proteins is a ubiquitous posttranslational modification in eukaryotic cells. GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) play critical roles in enzymatic, signaling, regulatory, and adhesion processes. Over 20 enzymes are involved in GPI synthesis, attachment to client proteins, and remodeling after attachment. The GPI transamidase (GPI-T), a large complex located in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, catalyzes the attachment step by replacing a C-terminal signal peptide of proproteins with GPI. In the last three decades, extensive research has been conducted on the mechanism of the transamidation reaction, the components of the GPI-T complex, the role of each subunit, and the substrate specificity. Two recent studies have reported the three-dimensional architecture of GPI-T, which represent the first structures of the pathway. The structures provide detailed mechanisms for assembly that rationalizes previous biochemical results and subunit-dependent stability data. While the structural data confirm the catalytic role of PIGK, which likely uses a caspase-like mechanism to cleave the proproteins, they suggest that unlike previously proposed, GPAA1 is not a catalytic subunit. The structures also reveal a shared cavity for GPI binding. Somewhat unexpectedly, PIGT, a single-pass membrane protein, plays a crucial role in GPI recognition. Consistent with the assembly mechanisms and the active site architecture, most of the disease mutations occur near the active site or the subunit interfaces. Finally, the catalytic dyad is located ~22 Å away from the membrane interface of the GPI-binding site, and this architecture may confer substrate specificity through topological matching between the substrates and the elongated active site. The research conducted thus far sheds light on the intricate processes involved in GPI anchoring and paves the way for further mechanistic studies of GPI-T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianfan Li
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.
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4
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Nzimande SP, Govender NP, Maphanga TG. In vitro manogepix susceptibility testing of South African Emergomyces africanus, Emergomyces pasteurianus, and Blastomyces emzantsi clinical isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0110423. [PMID: 37971237 PMCID: PMC10720492 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01104-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of manogepix against the yeast phase of 78 Emergomyces africanus, 2 Emergomyces pasteurianus, and 5 Blastomyces emzantsi isolates using a reference broth microdilution method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. All three pathogens had low minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from <0.0005 to 0.008 mg/L. Manogepix should be investigated in animal models and potentially in future human clinical trials for endemic mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silondiwe P. Nzimande
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nelesh P. Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Witwatersrand, South Africa
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tsidiso G. Maphanga
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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5
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Wiederhold NP. Pharmacodynamics, Mechanisms of Action and Resistance, and Spectrum of Activity of New Antifungal Agents. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080857. [PMID: 36012845 PMCID: PMC9410397 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several new antifungals are currently in late-stage development, including those with novel pharmacodynamics/mechanisms of action that represent new antifungal classes (manogepix, olorofim, ATI-2307, GR-2397). Others include new agents within established classes or with mechanisms of action similar to clinically available antifungals (ibrexafungerp, rezafungin, oteseconazole, opelconazole, MAT2203) that have been modified in order to improve certain characteristics, including enhanced pharmacokinetics and greater specificity for fungal targets. Many of the antifungals under development also have activity against Candida and Aspergillus strains that have reduced susceptibility or acquired resistance to azoles and echinocandins, whereas others demonstrate activity against species that are intrinsically resistant to most clinically available antifungals. The tolerability and drug–drug interaction profiles of these new agents also appear to be promising, although the number of human subjects that have been exposed to many of these agents remains relatively small. Overall, these agents have the potential for expanding our antifungal armamentarium and improving clinical outcomes in patients with invasive mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Wiederhold
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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6
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Novel agents in the treatment of invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:235-242. [PMID: 36354248 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recipients of solid organ transplants (SOTs) suffer a significant burden of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). The emergence of drug-resistant fungi and toxicities of currently used antifungal agents as well as drug-drug interactions with immunosuppressants make their treatment challenging. This review discusses selected novel antifungal agents in the development pipeline that can currently be used through clinical trials or may be commercially available in the near future. RECENT FINDINGS These agents in development have novel pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, expanded spectra of activity and excellent safety profiles. SUMMARY The properties of novel antifungal agents have the potential to expand the therapeutic options for IFIs in recipients of SOTs.
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7
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Gebremariam T, Gu Y, Alkhazraji S, Youssef E, Shaw KJ, Ibrahim AS. The Combination Treatment of Fosmanogepix and Liposomal Amphotericin B Is Superior to Monotherapy in Treating Experimental Invasive Mold Infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0038022. [PMID: 35670592 PMCID: PMC9295579 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00380-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), invasive mucormycosis (IM), and invasive fusariosis (IF) are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Fosmanogepix (FMGX) is a first-in-class antifungal in clinical development with demonstrated broad-spectrum activity in animal models of infections. We sought to evaluate the benefit of combination therapy of FMGX plus liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) in severe delayed-treatment models of murine IPA, IM, and IF. While FMGX was equally as effective as L-AMB in prolonging the survival of mice infected with IPA, IM, or IF, combination therapy was superior to monotherapy in all three models. These findings were validated by greater reductions in the tissue fungal burdens (determined by quantitative PCR) of target organs in all three models versus the burdens in infected vehicle-treated (placebo) or monotherapy-treated mice. In general, histopathological examination of target organs corroborated the findings for fungal tissue burdens among all treatment arms. Our results show that treatment with the combination of FMGX plus L-AMB demonstrated high survival rates and fungal burden reductions in severe animal models of invasive mold infections, at drug exposures in mice similar to those achieved clinically. These encouraging results warrant further investigation of the FMGX-plus-L-AMB combination treatment for severely ill patients with IPA, IM, and IF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yiyou Gu
- The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Sondus Alkhazraji
- The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Eman Youssef
- The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
- Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | | | - Ashraf S. Ibrahim
- The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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8
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Vasilenko DA, Dronov SE, Grishin YK, Averina EB. An Efficient Access to 5‐(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)isoxazoles – previously unknown structural type of triazole‐isoxazole hybrid molecule. ASIAN J ORG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.202200355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry A. Vasilenko
- Lomonosov Moscow State University: Moskovskij gosudarstvennyj universitet imeni M V Lomonosova Chemistry Department Leninskie Gory, 1-3 119991 Moscow RUSSIAN FEDERATION
| | - Sevastian E. Dronov
- Lomonosov Moscow State University: Moskovskij gosudarstvennyj universitet imeni M V Lomonosova Chemistry Department Leninskie Gory, 1-3 119991 Moscow RUSSIAN FEDERATION
| | - Yuri K. Grishin
- Lomonosov Moscow State University: Moskovskij gosudarstvennyj universitet imeni M V Lomonosova Chemistry Department Leninskie Gory, 1-3 119991 Moscow RUSSIAN FEDERATION
| | - Elena B. Averina
- Lomonosov Moscow State University: Moskovskij gosudarstvennyj universitet imeni M V Lomonosova Department of Chemistry Leninskie Gory-1-3Not Available 119991 Moscow RUSSIAN FEDERATION
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9
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Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases due to resistant yeasts and molds are an important and increasing public health threat, likely due to a growing population of immunosuppressed hosts, increases in antifungal resistance, and improvements in laboratory diagnostics. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with these pathogens bespeaks the urgent need for novel safe and effective therapeutics. This review highlights promising investigational antifungal agents in clinical phases of development: fosmanogepix, ibrexafungerp, rezafungin, encochleated amphotericin B, oteseconazole (VT-1161), VT-1598, PC945, and olorofim. We discuss three first-in-class members of three novel antifungal classes, as well as new agents within existing antifungal classes with improved safety and tolerability profiles due to enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Jacobs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029-5674, USA
| | - Panagiotis Zagaliotis
- Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Thomas J Walsh
- Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Departments Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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10
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Hoenigl M, Sprute R, Egger M, Arastehfar A, Cornely OA, Krause R, Lass-Flörl C, Prattes J, Spec A, Thompson GR, Wiederhold N, Jenks JD. The Antifungal Pipeline: Fosmanogepix, Ibrexafungerp, Olorofim, Opelconazole, and Rezafungin. Drugs 2021; 81:1703-1729. [PMID: 34626339 PMCID: PMC8501344 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-021-01611-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The epidemiology of invasive fungal infections is changing, with new populations at risk and the emergence of resistance caused by the selective pressure from increased usage of antifungal agents in prophylaxis, empiric therapy, and agriculture. Limited antifungal therapeutic options are further challenged by drug-drug interactions, toxicity, and constraints in administration routes. Despite the need for more antifungal drug options, no new classes of antifungal drugs have become available over the last 2 decades, and only one single new agent from a known antifungal class has been approved in the last decade. Nevertheless, there is hope on the horizon, with a number of new antifungal classes in late-stage clinical development. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of drug resistance employed by fungi and extensively discuss the most promising drugs in development, including fosmanogepix (a novel Gwt1 enzyme inhibitor), ibrexafungerp (a first-in-class triterpenoid), olorofim (a novel dihyroorotate dehydrogenase enzyme inhibitor), opelconazole (a novel triazole optimized for inhalation), and rezafungin (an echinocandin designed to be dosed once weekly). We focus on the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics, as well as the spectrum of activity and stages of clinical development. We also highlight the potential future role of these drugs and unmet needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria.
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Rosanne Sprute
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Chair Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Egger
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Amir Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Chair Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Robert Krause
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Juergen Prattes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Andrej Spec
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MI, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Internal Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Nathan Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Jenks
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
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11
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McCarty TP, Pappas PG. Antifungal Pipeline. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:732223. [PMID: 34552887 PMCID: PMC8450443 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.732223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In many ways, fungal diseases are forgotten or neglected. Given the significantly lower frequency compared to similar bacterial etiologies across the spectrum of infectious syndromes, it makes sense that anti-bacterial agents have seen the bulk of development in recent decades. The vast majority of new antifungal medications approved for use in the past 10 years have been new versions in the same class as existing agents. Clinical mycology is crying out for new mechanisms of action in the setting of rising resistance and emergence of new organisms. Fortunately, this trend appears to be reversing. There are numerous agents in advanced stages of development offering novel dosing regimens and mechanisms of action to combat these threats. Herein we review seven antifungal agents that we hope to see come to market in the coming years to aid physicians in the treatment of mucocutaneous and invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Patrick McCarty
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,Department of Medicine, Birmingham Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Peter G Pappas
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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12
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In vitro activity of APX2041, a new GWT1-inhibitor and in vivo efficacy of the prodrug APX2104 against Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0068221. [PMID: 34310205 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00682-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) due to Aspergillus fumigatus is a deadly infection for which new antifungal therapies are needed. Here we demonstrate the efficacy of a Gwt1 inhibitor, APX2041, and its prodrug, APX2104, against A. fumigatus. The wild-type, azole-resistant and echinocandin-resistant A. fumigatus strains were equally susceptible to APX2041 in vitro. APX2104 treatment in vivo significantly prolonged survival of neutropenic mice challenged with the wild-type and azole-resistant strains, revealing APX2104 as a potentially promising therapeutic against IA.
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13
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Quiles-Melero I, García-Rodríguez J. [Systemic antifungal drugs]. Rev Iberoam Micol 2021; 38:42-46. [PMID: 34294519 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections have increased over the last decades and the therapeutic choices to treat them are limited. The antifungal agents currently available are useful and have optimal in vitro activity; however, their activity can be lowered due to the development of fungal resistance. The increase in primary or secondary resistance to some antifungal drugs has led to the search of alternatives such as the combination of drugs or the development of new antifungals. In this paper, the activity of the main families of antifungal drugs, polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, 5-fluorocytosine and other new antifungal drugs, are reviewed. The main resistance mechanisms developed by fungi are also described.
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14
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Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases due to resistant yeasts and molds are an important and increasing public health threat, likely due to a growing population of immunosuppressed hosts, increases in antifungal resistance, and improvements in laboratory diagnostics. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with these pathogens bespeaks the urgent need for novel safe and effective therapeutics. This review highlights promising investigational antifungal agents in clinical phases of development: fosmanogepix, ibrexafungerp, rezafungin, encochleated amphotericin B, oteseconazole (VT-1161), VT-1598, PC945, and olorofim. We discuss three first-in-class members of three novel antifungal classes, as well as new agents within existing antifungal classes with improved safety and tolerability profiles due to enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E. Jacobs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029-5674, USA
| | - Panagiotis Zagaliotis
- Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Thomas J. Walsh
- Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Departments Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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15
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Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis, caused by the dimorphic pathogenic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadassi, is endemic to the southwestern United states and Central and South America. The incidence of coccidioidomycosis continues to increase. Coccidioidomycosis is typically a self-limiting influenza-like respiratory illness; however, it can lead to disseminated disease outside of the lungs. Not all nondisseminated cases require therapy, but antifungal therapy is typically beneficial requiring treatment ranging from months to lifelong. Clinical factors related to treatment decisions include severity of symptoms, radiography, coccidioidomycosis serologic results, and concurrent medical problems including immunosuppression. This review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J Bays
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street, PSSB, Suite G500, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street, PSSB, Suite G500, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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16
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Manogepix, the Active Moiety of the Investigational Agent Fosmanogepix, Demonstrates In Vitro Activity against Members of the Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani Species Complexes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.02343-20. [PMID: 33722886 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02343-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the in vitro activity of manogepix against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani species complex (FOSC and FSSC, respectively) isolates per CLSI document M38 broth microdilution methods. Manogepix demonstrated activity against both FOSC (MEC [minimum effective concentration] range, ≤0.015 to 0.03 μg/ml; MIC50 range, ≤0.015 to 0.125 μg/ml) and FSSC (MEC, ≤0.015 μg/ml; MIC50, ≤0.015 to 0.25 μg/ml). Amphotericin B was also active (MIC, 0.25 to 4 μg/ml), whereas the triazoles (MIC, 1 to >16 μg/ml) and micafungin (MEC, ≥8 μg/ml) had limited activity.
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17
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Samaddar A, Sharma A. Emergomycosis, an Emerging Systemic Mycosis in Immunocompromised Patients: Current Trends and Future Prospects. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:670731. [PMID: 33968970 PMCID: PMC8104006 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.670731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the global emergence of emergomycosis, a systemic fungal infection caused by a novel dimorphic fungus Emergomyces species has been observed among immunocompromised individuals. Though initially classified under the genus Emmonsia, a taxonomic revision in 2017 based on DNA sequence analyses placed five Emmonsia-like fungi under a separate genus Emergomyces. These include Emergomyces pasteurianus, Emergomyces africanus, Emergomyces canadensis, Emergomyces orientalis, and Emergomyces europaeus. Emmonsia parva was renamed as Blastomyces parvus, while Emmonsia crescens and Emmonsia sola remained within the genus Emmonsia until a taxonomic revision in 2020 placed both the species under the genus Emergomyces. However, unlike other members of the genus, Emergomyces crescens and Emergomyces sola do not cause disseminated disease. The former causes adiaspiromycosis, a granulomatous pulmonary disease, while the latter has not been associated with human disease. So far, emergomycosis has been mapped across four continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. However, considering the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS, it is presumed that the disease must have a worldwide distribution with many cases going undetected. Diagnosis of emergomycosis remains challenging. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of histoplasmosis as there is considerable clinical and histopathological overlap between the two entities. Sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA is considered as the gold standard for identification, but its application is compromised in resource limited settings. Serological tests are non-specific and demonstrate cross-reactivity with Histoplasma galactomannan antigen. Therefore, an affordable, accessible, and reliable diagnostic test is the need of the hour to enable its diagnosis in endemic regions and also for epidemiological surveillance. Currently, there are no consensus guidelines for the treatment of emergomycosis. The recommended regimen consists of amphotericin B (deoxycholate or liposomal formulation) for 1–2 weeks, followed by oral itraconazole for at least 12 months. This review elaborates the taxonomic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of emergomycosis. It also enumerates several novel antifungal drugs which might hold promise in the treatment of this condition and therefore, can be potential areas of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghadip Samaddar
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Anuradha Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
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18
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Therapeutic Potential of Fosmanogepix (APX001) for Intra-abdominal Candidiasis: from Lesion Penetration to Efficacy in a Mouse Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.02476-20. [PMID: 33468476 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02476-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) is one of the most common yet underappreciated forms of invasive candidiasis. IAC is difficult to treat, and therapeutic failure and drug-resistant breakthrough infections are common in some institutions despite the use of echinocandins as first-line agents. Fosmanogepix (FMGX, formerly APX001) is a first-in-class antifungal prodrug that can be administered both intravenously and orally. FMGX is currently in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of life-threatening invasive fungal infections. To explore the pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of FMGX for IAC, we evaluated both drug penetration and efficacy of the active moiety manogepix (MGX, formerly APX001A) in liver tissues in a clinically relevant IAC mouse model infected with Candida albicans Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) and laser capture microdissection (LCM)-directed absolute drug quantitation were employed to evaluate drug penetration into liver abscess lesions both spatially and quantitatively. The partitioning of MGX into lesions occurred slowly after a single dose; however, robust accumulation in the lesion was achieved after 3 days of repeated dosing. Associated with this drug penetration pattern, reduction in fungal burden and clearance in the liver were observed in mice receiving the multiday FMGX regimen. In comparison, administration of micafungin resulted in marginal reduction in fungal burden at the end of 4 days of treatment. These results suggest that FMGX is a promising candidate for the treatment of IAC.
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19
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Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of Fosmanogepix (APX001) in the Treatment of Candida Endophthalmitis and Hematogenous Meningoencephalitis in Nonneutropenic Rabbits. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.01795-20. [PMID: 33361304 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01795-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida endophthalmitis is a serious sight-threatening complication of candidemia that may occur before or during antifungal therapy. Hematogenous Candida meningoencephalitis (HCME) is also a serious manifestation of disseminated candidiasis in premature infants, immunosuppressed children, and immunocompromised adults. We evaluated the antifungal efficacy and pharmacokinetics of the prodrug fosmanogepix (APX001) in a rabbit model of endophthalmitis/HCME. Manogepix (APX001A), the active moiety of prodrug fosmanogepix, inhibits the fungal enzyme Gwt1 and is highly active in vitro and in vivo against Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and other fungal pathogens. Plasma pharmacokinetics of manogepix after oral administration of fosmanogepix on day 6 at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg resulted in maximum concentration of drug in plasma (C max) of 3.96 ± 0.41, 4.14 ± 1.1, and 11.5 ± 1.1 μg/ml, respectively, and area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 h (AUC0-12) of 15.8 ± 3.1, 30.8 ± 5.0, 95.9 ± 14 μg·h/ml, respectively. Manogepix penetrated the aqueous humor, vitreous, and choroid with liquid-to-plasma ratios ranging from 0.19 to 0.52, 0.09 to 0.12, and 0.02 to 0.04, respectively. These concentrations correlated with a significant decrease in Candida albicans burden in vitreous (>101 to 103 log CFU/g) and choroid (>101 to 103 log CFU/g) (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.001, respectively). The aqueous humor had no detectable C. albicans in treatment and control groups. The tissue/plasma concentration ratios of manogepix in meninges, cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord were approximately 1:1, which correlated with a >102 to 104 decline of C. albicans in tissue versus control (P ≤ 0.05). Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (1→3)-β-d-glucan levels demonstrated significant declines in response to fosmanogepix treatment. These findings provide an experimental foundation for fosmanogepix in treatment of Candida endophthalmitis and HCME and derisk the clinical trials of candidemia and invasive candidiasis.
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20
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Mead HL, Hamm PS, Shaffer IN, Teixeira MDM, Wendel CS, Wiederhold NP, Thompson GR, Muñiz-Salazar R, Castañón-Olivares LR, Keim P, Plude C, Terriquez J, Galgiani JN, Orbach MJ, Barker BM. Differential Thermotolerance Adaptation between Species of Coccidioides. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E366. [PMID: 33327629 PMCID: PMC7765126 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever, is caused by two species of dimorphic fungi. Based on molecular phylogenetic evidence, the genus Coccidioides contains two reciprocally monophyletic species: C. immitis and C. posadasii. However, phenotypic variation between species has not been deeply investigated. We therefore explored differences in growth rate under various conditions. A collection of 39 C. posadasii and 46 C. immitis isolates, representing the full geographical range of the two species, was screened for mycelial growth rate at 37 °C and 28 °C on solid media. The radial growth rate was measured for 16 days on yeast extract agar. A linear mixed effect model was used to compare the growth rate of C. posadasii and C. immitis at 37 °C and 28 °C, respectively. C. posadasii grew significantly faster at 37 °C, when compared to C. immitis; whereas both species had similar growth rates at 28 °C. These results indicate thermotolerance differs between these two species. As the ecological niche has not been well-described for Coccidioides spp., and disease variability between species has not been shown, the evolutionary pressure underlying the adaptation is unclear. However, this research reveals the first significant phenotypic difference between the two species that directly applies to ecological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L. Mead
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (H.L.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Paris S. Hamm
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Isaac N. Shaffer
- School of Informatics, Computers, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA;
| | | | | | - Nathan P. Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 77030, USA;
| | - George R. Thompson
- Departments of Internal Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Raquel Muñiz-Salazar
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología y Ecología Molecular, Escuela Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Unidad Valle Dorado, Ensenada 22890, Mexico;
| | - Laura Rosio Castañón-Olivares
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Paul Keim
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (H.L.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Carmel Plude
- Northern Arizona Healthcare, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA; (C.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Joel Terriquez
- Northern Arizona Healthcare, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA; (C.P.); (J.T.)
| | - John N. Galgiani
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (J.N.G.); (M.J.O.)
| | - Marc J. Orbach
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (J.N.G.); (M.J.O.)
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Bridget M. Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (H.L.M.); (P.K.)
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (J.N.G.); (M.J.O.)
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Shaw KJ, Ibrahim AS. Fosmanogepix: A Review of the First-in-Class Broad Spectrum Agent for the Treatment of Invasive Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E239. [PMID: 33105672 PMCID: PMC7711534 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fosmanogepix is a first-in-class antifungal currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus and rare molds. Fosmanogepix is the N-phosphonooxymethylene prodrug of manogepix, an inhibitor of the fungal enzyme Gwt1. Manogepix demonstrates broad spectrum in vitro activity against yeasts and molds, including difficult to treat pathogens. Because of its novel mechanism of action, manogepix retains potency against many resistant strains including echinocandin-resistant Candida and azole-resistant Aspergillus. Manogepix is also active against pathogens that demonstrate intrinsic resistance to other drug classes, such as Scedosporium, Lomentospora prolificans, and Fusarium with variable activity against Mucorales. Fosmanogepix demonstrates significant in vivo efficacy in mouse and rabbit disseminated infection models due to C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. auris, C. tropicalis, Coccidioides immitis, and F. solani as well as pulmonary infection models of A. fumigatus, A. flavus, S. prolificans, S. apiospermum and Rhizopus arrhizus. Clinical trials demonstrated high oral bioavailability (>90%), enabling switching between fosmanogepix intravenous and oral formulations without compromising blood levels. Favorable drug-drug interaction, tolerability, and wide tissue distribution profiles are observed making fosmanogepix an attractive option for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. This systematic review summarizes the findings of published data on fosmanogepix.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashraf S. Ibrahim
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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22
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In Vitro Activity of Manogepix against Multidrug-Resistant and Panresistant Candida auris from the New York Outbreak. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01124-20. [PMID: 32839219 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01124-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An ongoing Candida auris outbreak in the New York metropolitan area is the largest recorded to date in North America. Laboratory surveillance revealed NY C. auris isolates are resistant to fluconazole, with variable resistance to other currently used broad-spectrum antifungal drugs, and that several isolates are panresistant. Thus, there is an urgent need for new drugs with a novel mechanism of action to combat the resistance challenge. Manogepix (MGX) is a first-in-class agent that targets the fungal Gwt1 enzyme. The prodrug fosmanogepix is currently in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of fungal infections. We evaluated the susceptibility of 200 New York C. auris isolates to MGX and 10 comparator drugs using CLSI methodology. MGX demonstrated lower MICs than comparators (MIC50 and MIC90, 0.03 mg/liter; range, 0.004 to 0.06 mg/liter). The local epidemiological cutoff value (ECV) for MGX indicated all C. auris isolates were within the population of wild-type (WT) strains; 0.06 mg/liter defines the upper limit of wild type (UL-WT). MGX was 8- to 32-fold more active than the echinocandins, 16- to 64-fold more active than the azoles, and 64-fold more active than amphotericin B. No differences were found in the MGX or comparators' MIC50, MIC90, or geometric mean (GM) values when subsets of clinical, surveillance, and environmental isolates were evaluated. The range of MGX MIC values for six C. auris panresistant isolates was 0.008 to 0.015 mg/liter, and the median and mode MIC values were 0.015 mg/liter, demonstrating that MGX retains activity against these isolates. These data support further clinical evaluation of fosmanogepix for the treatment of C. auris infections, including highly resistant isolates.
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23
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Mead HL, Van Dyke MCC, Barker BM. Proper Care and Feeding of Coccidioides: A Laboratorian's Guide to Cultivating the Dimorphic Stages of C. immitis and C. posadasii. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2020; 58:e113. [PMID: 32894648 PMCID: PMC9976608 DOI: 10.1002/cpmc.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis ("Valley fever") is caused by Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii. These fungi are thermally dimorphic, cycling between mycelia and arthroconidia in the environment and converting into spherules and endospores within a host. Coccidioides can cause a broad spectrum of disease that can be difficult to treat. There has been a steady increase in disease, with an estimated 350,000 new infections per year in the United States. With the increase in disease and difficulty in treatment, there is an unmet need to increase research in basic biology and identify new treatments, diagnostics, and vaccine candidates. Here, we describe protocols required in any Coccidioides laboratory, such as growing, harvesting, and storing the different stages of this dimorphic fungal pathogen. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Growth and harvest of liquid mycelia cultures for extractions Alternate Protocol 1: Large-volume growth and harvest of liquid mycelia cultures Basic Protocol 2: Mycelial growth on solid medium Alternate Protocol 2: Maintaining mycelial growth on solid medium Basic Protocol 3: Harvesting and quantification of arthroconidia Alternate Protocol 3: Long-term storage of arthroconidia Basic Protocol 4: Parasitic spherule growth and harvest Alternate Protocol 4: Obtaining endospores from spherules Basic Protocol 5: Intranasal infection of murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L. Mead
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
| | | | - Bridget M. Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona,Corresponding author:
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24
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Liu W, Yuan L, Wang S. Recent Progress in the Discovery of Antifungal Agents Targeting the Cell Wall. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12429-12459. [PMID: 32692166 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to the limit of available treatments and the emergence of drug resistance in the clinic, invasive fungal infections are an intractable problem with high morbidity and mortality. The cell wall, as a fungi-specific structure, is an appealing target for the discovery and development of novel and low-toxic antifungal agents. In an attempt to accelerate the discovery of novel cell wall targeted drugs, this Perspective will provide a comprehensive review of the progress made to date on the development of fungal cell wall inhibitors. Specifically, this review will focus on the targets, discovery process, chemical structures, antifungal activities, and structure-activity relationships. Although two types of cell wall antifungal agents are clinically available or in clinical trials, it is still a long way for the other cell wall targeted inhibitors to be translated into clinical applications. Future efforts should be focused on the identification of inhibitors against novel conserved cell wall targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xuefu Middle Road, Xi'an 710021, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xuefu Middle Road, Xi'an 710021, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengzheng Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, People's Republic of China
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25
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although clinical outcomes in the treatment of aspergillosis have markedly improved with the availability of newer triazoles, the development of resistance to these antifungals, especially in Aspergillus fumigatus, is a growing concern. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on azole resistance mechanisms and their epidemiology in A. fumigatus, the clinical implications of azole resistance, and to discuss future treatment options against azole-resistant aspergillosis. RECENT FINDINGS Resistance may develop through either patient or environmental azole exposure. Environmental exposure is the most prevalent means of resistance development, and these isolates can cause disease in various at-risk groups, which now include those with influenza, and potentially COVID-19. Although current treatment options are limited, newer therapies are in clinical development. These include agents with novel mechanisms of action which have in vitro and in vivo activity against azole-resistant A. fumigatus. SUMMARY Azole-resistant A. fumigatus is an emerging threat that hampers our ability to successfully treat patients with aspergillosis. Certain geographic regions and patient populations appear to be at increased risk for this pathogen. As new patient groups are increasingly recognized to be at increased risk for invasive aspergillosis, studies to define the epidemiology and management of azole-resistant A. fumigatus are critically needed. While treatment options are currently limited, new agents under clinical development may offer hope.
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26
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Bermas A, Geddes‐McAlister J. Combatting the evolution of antifungal resistance in
Cryptococcus neoformans. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:721-734. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Arianne Bermas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
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27
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Fu Y, Estoppey D, Roggo S, Pistorius D, Fuchs F, Studer C, Ibrahim AS, Aust T, Grandjean F, Mihalic M, Memmert K, Prindle V, Richard E, Riedl R, Schuierer S, Weber E, Hunziker J, Petersen F, Tao J, Hoepfner D. Jawsamycin exhibits in vivo antifungal properties by inhibiting Spt14/Gpi3-mediated biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3387. [PMID: 32636417 PMCID: PMC7341893 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17221-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) is required for anchoring proteins to the plasma membrane, and is essential for the integrity of the fungal cell wall. Here, we use a reporter gene-based screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the discovery of antifungal inhibitors of GPI-anchoring of proteins, and identify the oligocyclopropyl-containing natural product jawsamycin (FR-900848) as a potent hit. The compound targets the catalytic subunit Spt14 (also referred to as Gpi3) of the fungal UDP-glycosyltransferase, the first step in GPI biosynthesis, with good selectivity over the human functional homolog PIG-A. Jawsamycin displays antifungal activity in vitro against several pathogenic fungi including Mucorales, and in vivo in a mouse model of invasive pulmonary mucormycosis due to Rhyzopus delemar infection. Our results provide a starting point for the development of Spt14 inhibitors for treatment of invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Fu
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - David Estoppey
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvio Roggo
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Pistorius
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Fuchs
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Studer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ashraf S Ibrahim
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovations at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Thomas Aust
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frederic Grandjean
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mihalic
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Memmert
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vivian Prindle
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Etienne Richard
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ralph Riedl
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sven Schuierer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eric Weber
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Hunziker
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank Petersen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jianshi Tao
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
| | - Dominic Hoepfner
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Forum 1 Novartis Campus, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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Fosmanogepix (APX001) Is Effective in the Treatment of Pulmonary Murine Mucormycosis Due to Rhizopus arrhizus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00178-20. [PMID: 32205345 PMCID: PMC7269494 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00178-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection with high mortality that occurs predominantly in immunocompromised patients. Manogepix (MGX) is a novel antifungal that targets Gwt1, a protein involved in an early step in the conserved glycosylphosphotidyl inositol (GPI) posttranslational modification pathway of surface proteins in eukaryotic cells. Inhibition of fungal inositol acylation by MGX results in pleiotropic effects, including inhibition of maturation of GPI-anchored proteins necessary for growth and virulence. Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection with high mortality that occurs predominantly in immunocompromised patients. Manogepix (MGX) is a novel antifungal that targets Gwt1, a protein involved in an early step in the conserved glycosylphosphotidyl inositol (GPI) posttranslational modification pathway of surface proteins in eukaryotic cells. Inhibition of fungal inositol acylation by MGX results in pleiotropic effects, including inhibition of maturation of GPI-anchored proteins necessary for growth and virulence. MGX has been previously shown to have in vitro activity against some strains of Mucorales. Here, we assessed the in vivo activity of the prodrug fosmanogepix, currently in clinical development for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, against two Rhizopus arrhizus strains with high (4.0 μg/ml) and low (0.25 μg/ml) minimum effective concentration (MEC) values. In both invasive pulmonary infection models, treatment of mice with 78 mg/kg or 104 mg/kg fosmanogepix, along with 1-aminobenzotriazole to enhance the serum half-life of MGX in mice, significantly increased median survival time and prolonged overall survival by day 21 postinfection compared to placebo. In addition, administration of fosmanogepix resulted in a 1 to 2 log reduction in both lung and brain fungal burden. For the 104 mg/kg fosmanogepix dose, tissue clearance and survival were comparable to clinically relevant doses of isavuconazole (ISA), which is FDA approved for the treatment of mucormycosis. These results support continued development of fosmanogepix as a first-in-class treatment for invasive mucormycosis.
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Aspiring Antifungals: Review of Current Antifungal Pipeline Developments. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6010028. [PMID: 32106450 PMCID: PMC7151215 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and their management is restricted to a variety of agents from five established classes of antifungal medication. In practice, existing antifungal agents are often constrained by dose-limiting toxicities, drug interactions, and the routes of administration. An increasing prevalence of invasive fungal infections along with rising rates of resistance and the practical limitations of existing agents has created a demand for the development of new antifungals, particularly those with novel mechanisms of action. This article reviews antifungal agents currently in various stages of clinical development. New additions to existing antifungal classes will be discussed, including SUBA-itraconazole, a highly bioavailable azole, and amphotericin B cochleate, an oral amphotericin formulation, as well as rezafungin, a long-acting echinocandin capable of once-weekly administration. Additionally, novel first-in-class agents such as ibrexafungerp, an oral glucan synthase inhibitor with activity against various resistant fungal isolates, and olorofim, a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor with a broad spectrum of activity and oral formulation, will be reviewed. Various other innovative antifungal agents and classes, including MGCD290, tetrazoles, and fosmanogepix, will also be examined.
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Rauseo AM, Coler-Reilly A, Larson L, Spec A. Hope on the Horizon: Novel Fungal Treatments in Development. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 7:ofaa016. [PMID: 32099843 PMCID: PMC7031074 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of invasive fungal infections remains challenging due to limitations in currently available antifungal therapies including toxicity, interactions, restricted routes of administration, and drug resistance. This review focuses on novel therapies in clinical development, including drugs and a device. These drugs have novel mechanisms of action to overcome resistance, and some offer new formulations providing distinct advantages over current therapies to improve safety profiles and reduce interactions. Among agents that target the cell wall, 2 glucan synthesis inhibitors are discussed (rezafungin and ibrexafungerp), as well as fosmanogepix and nikkomycin Z. Agents that target the cell membrane include 3 fourth-generation azoles, oral encochleated amphotericin B, and aureobasidin A. Among agents with intracellular targets, we will review olorofim, VL-2397, T-2307, AR-12, and MGCD290. In addition, we will describe neurapheresis, a device used as adjunctive therapy for cryptococcosis. With a field full of novel treatments for fungal infections, the future looks promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Rauseo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Lindsey Larson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Andrej Spec
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Abstract
Antifungal therapy is a critical component of patient management for invasive fungal diseases. Yet, therapeutic choices are limited as only a few drug classes are available to treat systemic disease, and some infecting strains are resistant to one or more drug classes. The ideal antifungal inhibits a fungal-specific essential target not present in human cells to avoid off-target toxicities. The fungal cell wall is an ideal drug target because its integrity is critical to cell survival and a majority of biosynthetic enzymes and wall components is unique to fungi. Among currently approved antifungal agents and those in clinical development, drugs targeting biosynthetic enzymes of the cell wall show safe and efficacious antifungal properties, which validates the cell wall as a target. The echinocandins, which inhibit β-1,3-glucan synthase, are recommended as first-line therapy for Candida infections. Newer cell wall-active drugs in clinical development encompass next-generation glucan synthase inhibitors including a novel echinocandin and an enfumafungin, an inhibitor of Gwt1, a key component of GPI anchor protein biosynthesis, and a classic inhibitor of chitin biosynthesis. As the cell wall is rich in potential drug discovery targets, it is primed to help deliver the next generation of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, 340 Kingsland Street, Nutley, 07110, USA.
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32
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Bakare OO, Fadaka AO, Klein A, Keyster M, Pretorius A. Diagnostic approaches of pneumonia for commercial-scale biomedical applications: an overview. ALL LIFE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2020.1826363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Olalekan Olanrewaju Bakare
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Adewale Oluwaseun Fadaka
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- Department of Science and Technology/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Bio-labels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ashwil Klein
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Marshall Keyster
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ashley Pretorius
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Galactomannan Is a Biomarker of Fosmanogepix (APX001) Efficacy in Treating Experimental Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 64:AAC.01966-19. [PMID: 31685475 PMCID: PMC7187618 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01966-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Galactomannan (GM) detection in biological samples has been shown to predict therapeutic response by azoles and polyenes. In a murine invasive pulmonary aspergillosis model, fosmanogepix or posaconazole treatment resulted in an ∼6- to 7-log reduction in conidial equivalents (CE)/g lung tissue after 96 h versus placebo. Changes in GM levels in BAL fluid and serum mirrored reductions in lung CE, with significant decreases seen after 96 h or 72 h for fosmanogepix or posaconazole, respectively (P < 0.02).
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Lima SL, Colombo AL, de Almeida Junior JN. Fungal Cell Wall: Emerging Antifungals and Drug Resistance. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2573. [PMID: 31824443 PMCID: PMC6881460 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall is an essential component in fungal homeostasis. The lack of a covering wall in human cells makes this component an attractive target for antifungal development. The host environment and antifungal stress can lead to cell wall modifications related to drug resistance. Antifungals targeting the cell wall including the new β-D-glucan synthase inhibitor ibrexafungerp and glycosyl-phosphatidyl Inositol (GPI) anchor pathway inhibitor fosmanogepix are promising weapons against antifungal resistance. The fosmanogepix shows strong in vitro activity against the multidrug-resistant species Candida auris, Fusarium solani, and Lomentospora prolificans. The alternative carbon sources in the infection site change the cell wall β-D-glucan and chitin composition, leading to echinocandin and amphotericin resistance. Candida populations that survive echinocandin exposure develop tolerance and show high chitin content in the cell wall, while fungal species such as Aspergillus flavus with a higher β-D-glucan content may show amphotericin resistance. Therefore understanding fungal cell dynamics has become important not only for host-fungal interactions, but also treatment of fungal infections. This review summarizes recent findings regarding antifungal therapy and development of resistance related to the fungal cell wall of the most relevant human pathogenic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraia L Lima
- Laboratório Especial de Micologia, Disciplina de Infectologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arnaldo L Colombo
- Laboratório Especial de Micologia, Disciplina de Infectologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João N de Almeida Junior
- Central Laboratory Division, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Efficacy of Delayed Therapy with Fosmanogepix (APX001) in a Murine Model of Candida auris Invasive Candidiasis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01120-19. [PMID: 31427304 PMCID: PMC6811405 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01120-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging pathogenic yeast Candida auris is associated with antifungal resistance and high mortality. The novel antifungal agent manogepix (APX001A) inhibits glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein maturation and has demonstrated activity against numerous pathogenic fungi, including C. auris. The emerging pathogenic yeast Candida auris is associated with antifungal resistance and high mortality. The novel antifungal agent manogepix (APX001A) inhibits glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein maturation and has demonstrated activity against numerous pathogenic fungi, including C. auris. Our objective was to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of fosmanogepix, the N-phosphonooxymethyl prodrug (APX001), following delayed initiation of therapy in a murine model of C. auris invasive candidiasis. Neutropenic mice were intravenously infected with a fluconazole-resistant clinical isolate of C. auris. Twenty-four hours postinoculation, treatment began with vehicle control, fosmanogepix (104 and 130 mg/kg of body weight by intraperitoneal injection three times daily, or intraperitoneal 260 mg/kg twice daily), fluconazole (20 mg/kg by oral gavage once daily), or caspofungin (intraperitoneal 10 mg/kg once daily) and continued for 7 days. Fungal burden was assessed via colony count in the kidneys and brains on day 8 in the fungal burden arm and on day 21 as the mice became moribund in the survival arm. Significant improvements in survival were observed in each group administered fosmanogepix and caspofungin. Similarly, reductions in fungal burden were also observed in both the kidneys and brains of mice treated with the highest dose of fosmanogepix in the fungal burden arm and in each fosmanogepix group and with caspofungin in the survival arm. In contrast, no improvements in survival or reductions in fungal burden were observed in mice treated with fluconazole. These results demonstrate that fosmanogepix is effective in vivo against fluconazole-resistant C. auris even when therapy is delayed.
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Abstract
Since its description nearly 130 years ago, hundreds of studies have deepened our understanding of coccidioidomycosis, also known as valley fever (VF), and provided useful diagnostic tests and treatments for the disease caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides spp. In general, most of the literature has addressed well-established infections and has described patients who have experienced major complications. In contrast, little attention has been given to the earliest consequences of the pathogen-host interaction and its implications for disease manifestation, progression, and resolution. The purpose of this review is to highlight published studies on early coccidioidomycosis, identify gaps in our knowledge, and suggest new or former research areas that might be or remain fertile ground for insight into the early stages of this invasive fungal disease.
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Van Dyke MCC, Thompson GR, Galgiani JN, Barker BM. The Rise of Coccidioides: Forces Against the Dust Devil Unleashed. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2188. [PMID: 31572393 PMCID: PMC6749157 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) is a fungal disease caused by the inhalation of Coccidioides posadasii or C. immitis. This neglected disease occurs in the desert areas of the western United States, most notably in California and Arizona, where infections continue to rise. Clinically, coccidioidomycosis ranges from asymptomatic to severe pulmonary disease and can disseminate to the brain, skin, bones, and elsewhere. New estimates suggest as many as 350,000 new cases of coccidioidomycosis occur in the United States each year. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of a vaccine and new therapeutic drugs against Coccidioides infection. In this review, we discuss the battle against Coccidioides including the development of potential vaccines, the quest for new therapeutic drugs, and our current understanding of the protective host immune response to Coccidioides infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - John N Galgiani
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Bridget M Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
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