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-β-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.

Keywords::

• Aspergillus
• Candida
• caspofungin
• echinocandin
• glucan
• pharmacodynamics
• pharmacokinetics

Disclosures

W Hope has received an unrestricted educational grant from Merck & Co. and research funding from Astellas. T Walsh has Cooperative Research and Development agreements with Fujisawa (now Astellas) and with Vicuron (acquired by Pfizer).