Primary antifungal prophylaxis in acute myeloblastic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome--still an open question?

Leuk Lymphoma. 2010 Jan;51(1):20-6. doi: 10.3109/10428190903242602.

Abstract

In this review, we aim to compare different early treatment strategies of invasive fungal diseases in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Three treatment approaches--prophylactic, empiric, and preemptive treatment--are subject to continuous discussion among physicians treating patients at risk. Considering the available clinical basis of evidence, we opt for antifungal prophylaxis with posaconazole 200 mg tid po as our primary prophylactic strategy, while the employment of preemptive treatment should be delayed until more accurate diagnostic tools become available. In addition to antifungal prophylaxis, empiric treatment with caspofungin or L-AmB may be administered to patients with fever resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment and without radiographic findings typical of invasive fungal disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Caspofungin
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use
  • Fever / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / microbiology
  • Lipopeptides
  • Medical Oncology / methods
  • Mycoses / complications*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / complications*
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / microbiology
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Triazoles
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • posaconazole
  • Amphotericin B
  • Caspofungin