Micafungin: experimental therapy of fungal infections in animal models

Background: Micafungin is an echinocandin antifungal drug recently approved for the treatment of candidiasis. The possibility of its clinical use against other invasive mycoses, has aroused the interest of numerous investigators in evaluating its efficacy in different animal models. Objectives: To critically review the current data on the use of micafungin in the treatment of invasive mycoses in animal models. Methods: We searched the PubMed/Medline data base (National Library of Medicine) from 2005 to 2008, both inclusive, on the use of micafungin in the experimental treatment of the fungal infection. Results and conclusions: Seven, of a total of 18 articles reviewed, were done in animal models of candidiasis and six in animal models of pulmonary or SNC aspergillosis. Similarly to the other echinocandins, caspofungin and anidulafungin, micafungin seems to exert a fungicidal activity against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata and a fungistatic activity against Aspergillus fumigatus. The paradoxical effect observed in lung tissue the experimental caspofungin treatment of aspergillosis has not been seen in the case of micafungin. The available data demonstrate a higher efficacy of micafungin versus fluconazole in the experimental treatment of C albicans infections caused by strains susceptible in vitro to both drugs. To improve the efficacy of micafungin in the treatment of C glabrata and A. fumigatus infections, several authors have tested different combined therapies, the combination of micafungin with amphotericin B being that showed the best results. (C) 2009 Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.