Itraconazole prevents invasive fungal infections in neutropenic patients treated for hematologic malignancies: evidence from a meta-analysis of 3,597 patients.

PURPOSE

Efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis has not yet been convincingly proven in numerous trials of various antifungals. New evidence and the anti-Aspergillus efficacy of itraconazole prompted a new look at the data for the prevention of invasive fungal infections.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Randomized, controlled studies with itraconazole for antifungal prophylaxis in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies were identified from electronic databases and hand searching.

RESULTS

Thirteen randomized trials included 3,597 patients who were assessable for invasive fungal infections. Itraconazole reduced the incidence of invasive fungal infection (mean relative risk reduction, 40% +/- 13%; P =.002), the incidence of invasive yeast infections (mean, 53% +/- 19%; P =.004) and the mortality from invasive fungal infections (mean, 35% +/- 17%; P =.04) significantly. The incidence of invasive Aspergillus infections was only reduced in trials using the itraconazole cyclodextrine solution (mean, 48% +/- 21%; P =.02) and not itraconazole capsules (mean, 75% +/- 73% increase; P =.3). The overall mortality was not changed. Adverse effects were rare, hypokalemia was noted in three studies, and a higher rate of drug discontinuation was found in trials that compared itraconazole cyclodextrine solution to a control without cyclodextrine. The effect of prophylaxis was clearly associated with a higher bioavailable dose of itraconazole.

CONCLUSION

Antifungal prophylaxis with itraconazole effectively prevents proven invasive fungal infections and-shown for the first time for antifungal prophylaxis-reduces mortality from these infections and the rate of invasive Aspergillus infections in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies. Adequate doses of the oral cyclodextrine solution (at least 400 mg/d) or i.v. formulations (200 mg/d) of itraconazole are necessary for these effects.