Azole Combinations and Multi-Targeting Drugs That Synergistically Inhibit <i>Candidozyma auris</i>

Abstract

Limited antifungal treatment options and drug resistance require innovative approaches to effectively combat fungal infections. Combination therapy is a promising strategy that addresses these pressing issues by concurrently targeting multiple cellular sites. The drug targets usually selected for combination therapy are from different cellular pathways with the goals of increasing treatment options and reducing development of resistance. However, some circumstances can prevent the implementation of combination therapy in clinical practice. These could include the increased risk of adverse effects, drug interactions, and even the promotion of drug resistance. Furthermore, robust clinical evidence supporting the superiority of combination therapy over monotherapy is limited and underscores the need for further research. Despite these challenges, synergies detected with different antifungal classes, such as the azoles and echinocandins, suggest that treatment strategies can be optimized by better understanding the underlying mechanisms. This review provides an overview of multi-targeting combination strategies with a primary focus on Candidozyma auris infections.

Keywords

• combination therapy
• antifungal
• <i>Candida</i> spp.
• <i>Candida auris</i>
• <i>Candidozyma auris</i>
• synergy