The Use of Lipid Formulations of Amphotericin B in Cancer Patients.

Cancer patients, especially stem cell transplantation recipients and patients with leukemia, constitute a high-risk group for the development of life-threatening systemic fungal infections. Candidiasis represents the most commonly reported fungal infection in cancer patients. Candidemia alone is associated with a mortality rate above 50% in this patient population. Even more challenging than the management of systemic yeast infections is the treatment of Aspergillus and other molds. In the case of Aspergillus pneumonia, the historical mortality rate in cancer patients has exceeded 80%.2 Additional fungal pathogens including Trichosporon, Fusarium, Muco, Alternaria, Bipolaris, Curvularia, etc, continue to be identified in this immunosuppressed population. Risk factors for the development of mycotic infection in cancer patients include neutropenia, chronic corticosteroid use, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, chemotherapyor radiation therapy-induced mucositis, and central venous catherization.