Emerging New Targets for the Treatment of Resistant Fungal Infections

J Med Chem. 2018 Jul 12;61(13):5484-5511. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01413. Epub 2018 Jan 16.

Abstract

With the increasing morbidity and mortality of invasive fungal infections and the emergence of severe antifungal drug resistance, new drug targets and novel antifungal agents are urgently needed. Recently, better understanding of fungal pathogenesis has contributed to the rapid emergence of potential antifungal drug targets. This perspective aims to provide a comprehensive review of new antifungal targets and of medicinal chemistry efforts toward inhibitor discovery. Particular focus will be placed on the druggability of the targets and their potential to treat resistant fungal infections. Innovative strategies for the next generation of antifungal therapy, such as virulence factors, protein-protein interactions, and immune response-based proteins, will also be highlighted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Mycoses / metabolism
  • Mycoses / pathology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents