Abstract
Candins, a novel class of antifungal agent, inhibit 1, 3-β-D-glucan synthase that plays an essential role in fungal cell wall synthesis. Three compounds of candin, anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin, have been developed. Each has strong in vitro antifungal activity against major deep-eated fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. including native azole-esistant spp. Candins also have been shown to extend animal survival in both systemic and respiratory experimental infections with Candida spp. or Aspergillus spp. Although anidulafungin is still in phase II clinical trials, caspofungin has already been approved by the US FDA in 2001. Micafungin was originally synthesized and developed in Japan. Since clinical studies showed that micafungin was also effective against aspergillosis and candidasis, the 2 most common fatal mycoses in Japan, micafungin is expected to be approved in Japan soon.
