Cure for Aspergillus Fungal Infections

February 11, 2001

Curing the Fungus Among Us

Cancidas is the first in a new genre of anti-fungal agents

By A. Holt

HealthScout Reporter

THURSDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthScout) -- Fungal infections have been blamed

for everything from discolored nails to failed relationships. While

some of this is obviously an overstatement, fungi can be stubborn to

treat, and they can cause a lot of discomfort. And sometimes, they

can even be life-threatening.

The latest antifungal weapon approved by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration(FDA) is Cancidas(caspofungin acetate). It's the first

member of a new class of anti-fungals called echinocandins. It's also

the first antifungal approved in more than a decade. This article

from the Doctor's Guide in September 2000 showed promising results

from a study of patients who were suffering from serious fungus

ailments.

Treatment is by injection. The drug works by blocking a component of

fungal cell walls that isn't found in human cells. This causes the

fungus to disappear and normal tissue to return.

Cancidas is used to treat fungal infections caused by Aspergillus.

This is a common fungus which usually causes no problems to people in

good health, but these infections can be fatal to individuals whose

natural defenses are weakened by illnesses like cancer, and the HIV

virus. People who have had bone and organ transplants may also not be

able to use Cancidas, which is manufactured by Merck & Co.

This FDA Talk Paper describes the Jan. 29 approval process for

Cancidas.

-- Holt has Ph.D. in pharmacy and education

Nan (qpeck)

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