Therapeutic efficacy of amphotericin B lipid formulations

Abstract

Amphotericin B, discovered in 1953, has been the antifungal drug of choice for the most fungal infections in immonosupressed patients. Despite its toxicity and the introduction of new azolic antifungal agents in the 1980's, the therapeutic potencial, the spectrum of action, and almost 50 years of clinical experience, determine its efficacy for the treatment of fungal infections and secondary prophylaxis in neutropenic patients. Its efficacy has been challenged in every new antifungal drug presented for the scientists and doctors and, for this purpose, a wide range of new studies were performed in order to reduce its nephrotocixity. In addition to the necessity of establishing strong treatments with higher doses for systemic mycoses, the development of different ways of amphotericin B delivery has been encouraged. Among on them, the entrapping amphotericin B into liposomes, the formation of lipid complex and colloidal dispersions produced successful results in reducing the tocixity and improving efficacy. Therefore, many studies demostrating new lipid preparations and delivery systems will be cited, focused on pharmacokinetics and mechanisms to improve the delivery of active drugs to sites of infections.