Successful micafungin (FK463) treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a phase II study

Int J Hematol. 2004 May;79(4):390-3. doi: 10.1532/ijh97.03163.

Abstract

We treated a 52-year-old woman with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) as a result of neutropenia following remission-induction chemotherapy. Although serological test results, such as those for platelia and pastrex, were all negative and the serum level of beta-D-glucan was low, Aspergillus DNA was detected in blood by the polymerase chain reaction method. A clinically documented diagnosis of IPA was made on the basis of chest x-rays, computed tomography scan findings, and the detection of Aspergillus DNA. Micafungin (FK463), a candin class antifungal agent, was administered at a dose of 75 to 150 mg/day, because other antifungal agents were not effective. The increase in serum concentration of micafungin was dose-dependent and was accompanied by improvement of symptoms and objective findings. Micafungin was effective for the treatment of IPA in this patient with ALL.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis
  • Aspergillosis / drug therapy*
  • Aspergillosis / etiology
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • Echinocandins
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides
  • Lipoproteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Lipoproteins / therapeutic use*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / etiology
  • Micafungin
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Neutropenia / complications
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacokinetics
  • Peptides, Cyclic / therapeutic use*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Lipoproteins
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Micafungin