Cephamycins: a review, prospects and some original observations.

The cephamycins are a group with great potential. The first member of the group intended for therapeutic use offers the following advantages over existing cephalosporins: 1. Stability to various beta-lactamases; in an environment increasingly threatened by R-factors, this property may be of increasing value as time passes. 2. Possible lack of cross-allergenicity with other beta-lactam antibiotics. 3. Activity against anaerobic strains. Cefoxitin is only the first semi-synthetic derivative; presumably there are other compounds awaiting assessment which have even more favourable properties.