Nylon-3 polymers active against drug-resistant Candida albicans biofilms

J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Feb 18;137(6):2183-6. doi: 10.1021/ja512567y. Epub 2015 Feb 4.

Abstract

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans, and most diseases produced by C. albicans are associated with biofilms. We previously developed nylon-3 polymers with potent activity against planktonic C. albicans and excellent C. albicans versus mammalian cell selectivity. Here we show that these nylon-3 polymers have strong and selective activity against drug-resistant C. albicans in biofilms, as manifested by inhibition of biofilm formation and by killing of C. albicans in mature biofilms. The best nylon-3 polymer (poly-βNM) is superior to the antifungal drug fluconazole for all three strains examined. This polymer is slightly less effective than amphotericin B (AmpB) for two strains, but the polymer is superior against an AmpB-resistant strain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Polymers / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Polymers