Caspofungin for the treatment of candidaemia in patients with haematological malignancies

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2010 Mar;16(3):298-301. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02832.x. Epub 2009 Jun 22.

Abstract

This study was prospectively conducted in 11 haematology divisions over a 2-year period to evaluate the efficacy of caspofungin in 24 neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies (HM) and candidaemia. These patients had received chemotherapy for HM and were neutropenic (PNN < 0.5 x 10(9)/L) for a median of 12 days (2-41) before candidaemia. The patients received caspofungin for a median duration of 12 days (range 6-26), obtaining a favourable overall response of 58%. At 30 days, 11 patients had died (46%); candidaemia was responsible for mortality in six patients (25%). These results suggest that treatment of candidaemia with caspofungin in neutropenic HM was efficacious, as it is in non-haematological subgroups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Candidiasis / mortality
  • Caspofungin
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Fungemia / drug therapy*
  • Fungemia / mortality
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutropenia / complications*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Caspofungin