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.
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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 |
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