Mold Journal Top Ten -- Oct. 2004

ARTICLE: 'Micafungin: a Therapeutic Review'

SUMMARY: Micafungin (FK463, Fujisawa Healthcare) has been developed as a novel type of antifungal agent, which inhibits 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase in the fungal cell wall. Micafungin, one of the echinocandins, exhibits extremely high antifungal activity against Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. in vitro. In clinical studies in Japan, micafungin was found to be highly effective against aspergillosis (57.1% overall efficacy rate) and candidiasis (78.6%). Micafungin is expected to increase the efficacy rate of treatment in patients with severe aspergillosis or candidiasis when used in combination with amphotericin B or mold azoles.

AUTHORS: Higashiyama Y, Kohno …