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Review
. 2022 Mar 2;23(5):2756.
doi: 10.3390/ijms23052756.

Emerging Antifungal Targets and Strategies

Marija Ivanov  1 , Ana Ćirić  1 , Dejan Stojković  1
Affiliations
Review

Emerging Antifungal Targets and Strategies

Marija Ivanov et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Despite abundant research in the field of antifungal drug discovery, fungal infections remain a significant healthcare burden. There is an emerging need for the development of novel antifungals since those currently available are limited and do not completely provide safe and secure protection. Since the current knowledge regarding the physiology of fungal cells and the infection mechanisms is greater than ever, we have the opportunity to use this for the development of novel generations of antifungals. In this review, we selected and summarized recent studies describing agents employing different antifungal mechanisms. These mechanisms include interference with fungal resistance, including impact on the efflux pumps and heat shock protein 90. Additionally, interference with virulence factors, such as biofilms and hyphae; the impact on fungal enzymes, metabolism, mitochondria, and cell wall; and antifungal vaccines are explored. The agents investigated belong to different classes of natural or synthetic molecules with significant attention given also to plant extracts. The efficacy of these antifungals has been studied mainly in vitro with some in vivo, and clinical studies are needed. Nevertheless, there is a large quantity of products employing novel antifungal mechanisms that can be further explored for the development of new generation of antifungals.

Keywords: Aspregillus; Candida; antibiofilm; antifungal targets; drug discovery; fungal resistance; mechanism of action; mitochondrial activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of nystatin and natamycin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of antifungal azoles for topical applications.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structure of antifungal amines used for topical applications. (E)—trans isomer, (S)—sinister enantiomer, (R)—rectus enantiomer.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structure of Amphotericin B.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Chemical structure of azole derivatives used as systemic antifungal drugs. (S)—sinister enantiomer, (R)—rectus enantiomer.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Chemical structure of Terbinafine.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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