Abstract
Pathogenic fungi are a major causative group for opportunistic infections (OIs). AIDS patients and other immunocompromised individuals are at risk for OIs, which if not treated appropriately, contribute to the mortality associated with their conditions. Several studies have indicated that the majority of HIV-positive patients contract fungal infections throughout the course of their disease. Similar observations have been made regarding the increased frequency of bone marrow and organ transplants, the use of antineoplastic agents, the excessive use of antibiotics, and the prolonged use of corticosteroids among others. In addition, several pathogenic fungi have developed resistance to current drugs. Together these have conspired to spur a need for developing new treatment options for OIs. To aid this effort, this article reviews the biological targets of current and emerging drugs and agents that act through these targets for the treatment of opportunistic fungal infections.
Keywords: Antifungal agents, Antifungal drug target, Anti-opportunistic infection, Biological target, Fungal infections, Mechanism of action, Opportunistic infection targets, Target of antifungal agents.
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:The Mechanistic Targets of Antifungal Agents: An Overview
Volume: 16 Issue: 7
Author(s): Tryphon K. Mazu, Barbara A. Bricker, Hernan Flores-Rozas and Seth Y. Ablordeppey
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antifungal agents, Antifungal drug target, Anti-opportunistic infection, Biological target, Fungal infections, Mechanism of action, Opportunistic infection targets, Target of antifungal agents.
Abstract: Pathogenic fungi are a major causative group for opportunistic infections (OIs). AIDS patients and other immunocompromised individuals are at risk for OIs, which if not treated appropriately, contribute to the mortality associated with their conditions. Several studies have indicated that the majority of HIV-positive patients contract fungal infections throughout the course of their disease. Similar observations have been made regarding the increased frequency of bone marrow and organ transplants, the use of antineoplastic agents, the excessive use of antibiotics, and the prolonged use of corticosteroids among others. In addition, several pathogenic fungi have developed resistance to current drugs. Together these have conspired to spur a need for developing new treatment options for OIs. To aid this effort, this article reviews the biological targets of current and emerging drugs and agents that act through these targets for the treatment of opportunistic fungal infections.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Mazu K. Tryphon, Bricker A. Barbara, Flores-Rozas Hernan and Ablordeppey Y. Seth, The Mechanistic Targets of Antifungal Agents: An Overview, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 16 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557516666160118112103
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557516666160118112103 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target in Metabolic Disorders
Mitochondria are the primary site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mammalian cells. Moreover, these organelles are an important source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in virtually any nucleated cell type. The modulation of a myriad of cellular signaling pathways depends on the mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Alpha-Secretase Cleavage of the Amyloid Precursor Protein: Proteolysis Regulated by Signaling Pathways and Protein Trafficking
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial (Hot Topic: Learning from Pathogens: Exploiting Host-Pathogen Liaison for Therapeutic Development)
Current Protein & Peptide Science Therapeutic Antibodies and Other Proteins Obtained by Molecular Display Technologies
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Chemotherapeutic Effects of Boswellic Acid Against Human Glioblastoma Multiform: A Comprehensive Review
The Natural Products Journal Physiopathological Roles of P2X Receptors in the Central Nervous System
Current Medicinal Chemistry Plants vs. Cancer: A Review on Natural Phytochemicals in Preventing and Treating Cancers and Their Druggability
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Understanding and Modulating the Toll Like Receptors (TLRs) and NOD Like Receptors (NLRs) Cross Talk in Type 2 Diabetes
Current Diabetes Reviews Candida parapsilosis Secreted Lipase as an Important Virulence Factor
Current Protein & Peptide Science Lipid Lowering Drugs and Gallstones: A Therapeutic Option?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Sleep Apnea and Coronary Heart Disease: From Dusk Till Dawn and Further
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews An insight into the Interaction between Clopidogrel and Proton Pump Inhibitors
Current Drug Metabolism Recent Advances in the Treatment of Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Drug Eluting Stents and Beyond
Current Pharmaceutical Design Poxvirus-Based Vaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy: New Insights from Combined Cytokines/Co-Stimulatory Molecules Delivery and “Uncommon” Strains
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Phylogenetic Methods in Drug Discovery
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Spiro-Lactams as Novel Antimicrobial Agents
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Quantification of Vitamin D at Different Levels of Clinical Worsening of COVID-19
Current Drug Metabolism Impact of Diabetes in Blood-Testis and Blood-Brain Barriers: Resemblances and Differences
Current Diabetes Reviews Gene Therapy to Overcome Drug Resistance in Cancer: Targeting Key Regulators of the Apoptotic Pathway
Current Gene Therapy Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: From a Clinical to a Molecular Association
Current Pharmaceutical Design