Caspofungin

Background: Caspofungin acetate is a member of a class of lipopeptide antifungal compounds termed echinocandins. These agents noncompetitively inhibit synthesis of 1,3-beta-glycan linkages in fungal cell walls, a site of action completely different from that of either amphotericin B or the azole antifungals. The FDA has licensed caspofungin for treatment of invasive aspergillosis refractory to other therapies and of patients intolerant to those therapies.

Spectrum of action: Caspofungin inhibits aspergillus species in vitro, although susceptibility test results do not correlate with clinical activity. Although it isn't approved for use against other pathogens, it does have significant in vitro activity against candida species, including azol…