Fungal Infections Potentiated by Biologics

Abstract

Biologic therapies including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and other agents represent a notable expansion in the pharmacotherapy armamentarium in treatment of a variety of diseases. Many of these therapies possess direct or indirect immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory effects, which have been associated with bacterial, viral, and fungal opportunistic infections. Careful screening of baseline risk factors before initiation, targeted preventive measures, and vigilant monitoring while on active biologic therapy mitigate these risks as use of biologics becomes more commonplace. This review compiles reported evidence of fungal infections associated with these agents with a focus on the tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor class.

Keywords: Biologic; Fungal infections; Monoclonal antibodies; TNF-α inhibitors; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors.