New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions
This review explores current advancements and challenges in antifungal therapies amid rising fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. We detail the limitations of existing antifungal classes—azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, and flucytosine—in managing systemic infections and th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/871 |
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| author | Gustavo A. Niño-Vega Leonardo Padró-Villegas Everardo López-Romero |
| author_facet | Gustavo A. Niño-Vega Leonardo Padró-Villegas Everardo López-Romero |
| author_sort | Gustavo A. Niño-Vega |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review explores current advancements and challenges in antifungal therapies amid rising fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. We detail the limitations of existing antifungal classes—azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, and flucytosine—in managing systemic infections and the urgent need for alternative solutions. With the increasing incidence of resistance pathogens, such as <i>Candida auris</i> and <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>, we assess emerging antifungal agents, including Ibrexafungerp, T-2307, and N′-Phenylhydrazides, which target diverse fungal cell mechanisms. Innovations, such as nanoparticles, drug repurposing, and natural products, are also evaluated for their potential to improve efficacy and reduce resistance. We emphasize the importance of novel approaches to address the growing threat posed by fungal infections, particularly for patients with limited treatment options. Finally, we briefly examine the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of new antifungal treatments, diagnoses, and resistance prediction, which provides powerful tools in the fight against fungal pathogens. Overall, we highlight the pressing need for continued research to advance antifungal treatments and improve outcomes for high-risk populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fddd85a4011f4607a8d2b8c5155446f1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj-art-fddd85a4011f4607a8d2b8c5155446f12024-12-27T14:34:00ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2024-12-01101287110.3390/jof10120871New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future DirectionsGustavo A. Niño-Vega0Leonardo Padró-Villegas1Everardo López-Romero2Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato C.P. 36050, MexicoDepartamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato C.P. 36050, MexicoDepartamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato C.P. 36050, MexicoThis review explores current advancements and challenges in antifungal therapies amid rising fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. We detail the limitations of existing antifungal classes—azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, and flucytosine—in managing systemic infections and the urgent need for alternative solutions. With the increasing incidence of resistance pathogens, such as <i>Candida auris</i> and <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>, we assess emerging antifungal agents, including Ibrexafungerp, T-2307, and N′-Phenylhydrazides, which target diverse fungal cell mechanisms. Innovations, such as nanoparticles, drug repurposing, and natural products, are also evaluated for their potential to improve efficacy and reduce resistance. We emphasize the importance of novel approaches to address the growing threat posed by fungal infections, particularly for patients with limited treatment options. Finally, we briefly examine the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of new antifungal treatments, diagnoses, and resistance prediction, which provides powerful tools in the fight against fungal pathogens. Overall, we highlight the pressing need for continued research to advance antifungal treatments and improve outcomes for high-risk populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/871antifungal therapydrug resistancefungal infectionsnovel antifungalsnanoparticlesnatural products |
| spellingShingle | Gustavo A. Niño-Vega Leonardo Padró-Villegas Everardo López-Romero New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions Journal of Fungi antifungal therapy drug resistance fungal infections novel antifungals nanoparticles natural products |
| title | New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions |
| title_full | New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions |
| title_fullStr | New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions |
| title_full_unstemmed | New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions |
| title_short | New Ground in Antifungal Discovery and Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions |
| title_sort | new ground in antifungal discovery and therapy for invasive fungal infections innovations challenges and future directions |
| topic | antifungal therapy drug resistance fungal infections novel antifungals nanoparticles natural products |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/871 |
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