Randomized comparison of safety and pharmacokinetics of caspofungin, liposomal amphotericin B, and the combination of both in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2010 Oct;54(10):4143-9. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00425-10. Epub 2010 Jul 26.

Abstract

The combination of liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB) and caspofungin (CAS) holds promise to improve the outcome of opportunistic invasive mycoses with poor prognosis. Little is known, however, about the safety and pharmacokinetics of the combination in patients at high risk for these infections. The safety and pharmacokinetics of the combination of LAMB and CAS were investigated in a risk-stratified, randomized, multicenter phase II clinical trial in 55 adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients (aHSCT) with granulocytopenia and refractory fever. The patients received either CAS (50 mg/day; day 1, 70 mg), LAMB (3 mg/kg of body weight/day), or the combination of both (CASLAMB) until defervescence and granulocyte recovery. Safety, development of invasive fungal infections, and survival were assessed through day 14 after the end of therapy. Pharmacokinetic sampling and analysis were performed on days 1 and 4. All three regimens were well tolerated. Premature study drug discontinuations due to grade III/IV adverse events occurred in 1/18, 2/20, and 0/17 patients randomized to CAS, LAMB, and CASLAMB, respectively. Adverse events not leading to study drug discontinuation were frequent but similar across cohorts, except for a higher frequency of hypokalemia with CASLAMB (P < 0.05). Drug exposures were similar for patients receiving combination therapy and those randomized to monotherapy. There was no apparent difference in the occurrence of proven/probable invasive fungal infections and survival through day 14 after the end of therapy. CASLAMB combination therapy in immunocompromised aHSCT patients was as safe as monotherapy with CAS or LAMB and had similar plasma pharmacokinetics, lending support to further investigations of the combination in the management of patients with invasive opportunistic mycoses.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Agranulocytosis / drug therapy
  • Agranulocytosis / therapy
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Amphotericin B / adverse effects*
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use*
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Caspofungin
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Echinocandins / administration & dosage
  • Echinocandins / adverse effects*
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Mycoses / therapy
  • Transplantation, Homologous*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B
  • Caspofungin