Antifungal activity and clinical efficacy of micafungin sodium (Funguard)

Abstract

Micafungin sodium (MCFG) is a new lipopeptide antifungal agent of the echinocandin class. MCFG inhibits 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis in C. albicans and A. fumigatus in a non-competitive manner and has antifungal activity against both Aspergillus and Candida species. In neutropenic mouse models of disseminated candidiasis and pulmonary aspergillosis, the efficacy of MCFG was superior to that of fluconazole and itroconazole, but comparable to that of amphotericin B. The efficacy and safety of MCFG were investigated in 70 patients with deep-seated mycosis caused by Candida and Aspergillus species. The overall clinical response rates were 57.1% in aspergillosis and 78.6% in candidiasis. The incidence of adverse events related to micafungin was 17.9 %, and there was no dose-related occurrence of any adverse events. The results from this study indicated that micafungin was effective against aspergillosis and candidiasis, with no tolerability problems.