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    Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2008 Dec;21(4):683-90.

    Diagnosis and therapy of fungal infection in patients with leukemia--new drugs and immunotherapy.

    Anaissie EJ.

    Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 Markham Street, Mail Slot 776, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-7101, USA. AnaissieEliasJ@uams.edu

    Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a common problem in immunocompromised patients. Patients with leukemia, especially those undergoing stem cell transplantation, are at increased risk for IFIs, particularly invasive aspergillosis (IA). Serial monitoring with the recently approved Aspergillus galactomannan antigen test has helped to improve the diagnosis and the monitoring of treatment of IA in cancer patients. There are several new options to treat cancer patients with fungal infections. These include new antifungal agents, such as the mould-active triazoles (itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole), the echinocandins (anidulafungin, caspofungin and micafungin), and the lipid formulations of amphotericin B. Immunotherapy with hematopoietic growth factors and interferon-gamma has been effective in some patients. Finally, donor-stimulated granulocyte transfusions may be useful in this patient population, but further research is required.

    PMID: 19041608 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Patient drug information

    • Itraconazole (Sporanox®)

      Itraconazole capsules are used to treat fungal infections that begin in the lungsand can spread through the body. Itraconazole capsules are also used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails and/or toenails. Itracon...

    • Voriconazole (Vfend®)

      Voriconazole is used to treat serious fungal infections such as invasive aspergillosis (a fungal infection that begins in the lungs and spreads through the bloodstream to other organs) and esophageal candidiasis (infecti...

    • Posaconazole (Noxafil®)

      Posaconazole is used to prevent serious fungal infections in people with a weakened ability to fight infection. Posaconazole is also used to treat yeast infections of the mouth and throat including yeast infections that ...