Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise?
Nikkomycin Z (NikZ) has fungicidal activity against some fungal species which currently requires patients to endure chronic therapy, sometimes for years. This review highlights reports of NikZ activity against fungal species for which current therapeutics are still inadequate, as a potential roadmap...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/4/261 |
| _version_ | 1797549281339506688 |
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| author | David J. Larwood |
| author_facet | David J. Larwood |
| author_sort | David J. Larwood |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nikkomycin Z (NikZ) has fungicidal activity against some fungal species which currently requires patients to endure chronic therapy, sometimes for years. This review highlights reports of NikZ activity against fungal species for which current therapeutics are still inadequate, as a potential roadmap for continuing investigation. The possibility of faster and more complete clinical resolution by using NikZ has attracted scientific attention for decades. NikZ inhibits chitin structure formation, which is important for fungi, but not found in mammals. NikZ raised no safety concerns in a human Phase 1 trial or in extensive toxicology studies. NikZ showed strong clinical benefit in dogs with natural <i>Coccidioides</i> infection. NikZ has protected animals against fatal infections of <i>Candida albicans</i>. NikZ provides high protection in synergistic combination with several agent classes against <i>Candida</i> and <i>Aspergillus</i> species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:12:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e48dd603f4884f1baff8f2b4e114b390 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:12:27Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-e48dd603f4884f1baff8f2b4e114b3902023-11-20T19:14:51ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2020-10-016426110.3390/jof6040261Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise?David J. Larwood0Valley Fever Solutions, Tucson, AZ 85719, USANikkomycin Z (NikZ) has fungicidal activity against some fungal species which currently requires patients to endure chronic therapy, sometimes for years. This review highlights reports of NikZ activity against fungal species for which current therapeutics are still inadequate, as a potential roadmap for continuing investigation. The possibility of faster and more complete clinical resolution by using NikZ has attracted scientific attention for decades. NikZ inhibits chitin structure formation, which is important for fungi, but not found in mammals. NikZ raised no safety concerns in a human Phase 1 trial or in extensive toxicology studies. NikZ showed strong clinical benefit in dogs with natural <i>Coccidioides</i> infection. NikZ has protected animals against fatal infections of <i>Candida albicans</i>. NikZ provides high protection in synergistic combination with several agent classes against <i>Candida</i> and <i>Aspergillus</i> species.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/4/261antifungalnikkomycin ZNikZcombination therapyendemic dimorphic fungiopportunistic fungi |
| spellingShingle | David J. Larwood Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise? Journal of Fungi antifungal nikkomycin Z NikZ combination therapy endemic dimorphic fungi opportunistic fungi |
| title | Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise? |
| title_full | Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise? |
| title_fullStr | Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise? |
| title_short | Nikkomycin Z—Ready to Meet the Promise? |
| title_sort | nikkomycin z ready to meet the promise |
| topic | antifungal nikkomycin Z NikZ combination therapy endemic dimorphic fungi opportunistic fungi |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/4/261 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT davidjlarwood nikkomycinzreadytomeetthepromise |