A plain language summary on preventing fungal infections with isavuconazole in people with blood-related conditions

• Published in: Future microbiology Vol. 18; no. 13; pp. 861 - 866
• Main Authors: Ping, Yang, Hongmei, Jing, Bellmann, Christian, Inês, Mónica, Macmillan, Tom, Webb, Neil, Aram, Jalal A, Penack, Olaf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Future Medicine Ltd 01.09.2023
• Subjects: antifungals; azole; blood-related conditions; fluconazole; fungal infections; isavuconazole; prevention; prophylaxis; voriconazole
• ISSN: 1746-0913; 1746-0921
• DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0280

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?People with blood-related conditions have a higher chance of getting invasive fungal infections (IFIs). IFIs are severe fungal infections that can lead to death. Only a few medications, known as antifungals, exist that can be used to prevent IFIs, and sometimes they can cause very bad side effects. Isavuconazole is an antifungal which has been approved to treat IFIs, but it has not been approved to prevent IFIs. In this study, we reviewed published studies that looked at how well isavuconazole prevented IFIs in people who have a higher chance of getting IFIs.WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?This review showed that isavuconazole could be effective at preventing IFIs in people with blood-related conditions, as well as being a safe medication.WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY MEAN?Isavuconazole can prevent IFIs in people who have a higher chance of getting IFIs. Guidelines should consider that patients need new antifungals to prevent IFIs, and more research needs to be done to see which medicines work best, and which have fewer side effects. Clinical Trial Registration: Please note that 7 studies included in this review were planned studies (1 prospective, 6 retrospective), 2 were real- world studies, 1 of which was registered as a clinical trial NCT03019939 (ClinicalTrials.gov).