Caspofungin
CancidasPubChem CID 16119814 · 3D model
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Blocks fungi from building their protective cell wall, a structure human cells don't have, so the fungal cell falls apart.
How it works
Caspofungin works by blocking fungi from building beta-glucan, a tough material that forms part of the fungal cell wall, the rigid outer shell that gives the cell its structure. Human cells don't have this cell wall or use beta-glucan, so the drug can target fungi without directly attacking human cells the same way. It's effective against Candida yeast broadly and against actively growing parts of Aspergillus mold. As with other antifungals, resistance can develop, sometimes tied to specific genetic mutations in the fungus that make the drug less effective and let the infection break through treatment.
What it’s used for
Cancidas (caspofungin) is given by IV to adults and children 3 months and older to treat serious fungal infections. It's used as an early treatment guess for feverish patients with weakened immune systems, for bloodstream and abdominal Candida infections, for Candida infections of the esophagus, and for invasive Aspergillus mold infections in patients who haven't responded to or can't tolerate other antifungal drugs. It's given as a slow IV infusion over about an hour, usually starting with a higher first dose followed by a lower daily dose, and doctors may need to adjust the dose for patients with liver problems or those taking certain other medications.
- Mechanism
- Inhibits fungal beta-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase, disrupting cell wall synthesis
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Antifungal