Amphotericin B

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Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B new.svg
File:Amphotericin b.png
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(1R,3S,5R,6R,9R, 11R,15S,16R,17R,18S,19E,21E, 23E,25E,27E,29E,31E,33R,35S,36R,37S)- 33-[(3-amino- 3,6-dideoxy- β-D-mannopyranosyl)oxy]- 1,3,5,6,9,11,17,37-octahydroxy- 15,16,18-trimethyl- 13-oxo- 14,39-dioxabicyclo [33.3.1] nonatriaconta- 19,21,23,25,27,29,31-heptaene- 36-carboxylic acid
Clinical data
Trade names Fungizone
AHFS/Drugs.com monograph
Pregnancy
category
  • US: B (No risk in non-human studies)
Legal status
  • Rx-only, hospitalization recommended.
Routes of
administration
I.V. (slow infusion only) topical
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 100% (IV)
Metabolism renal
Biological half-life initial phase : 24 hours,
second phase : approx. 15 days
Excretion 40% found in urine after single cumulated over several days
biliar excretion also important
Identifiers
CAS Number 1397-89-3 YesY
ATC code A01AB04 (WHO) A07AA07, G01AA03, J02AA01
PubChem CID: 14956
DrugBank DB00681 YesY
ChemSpider 10237579 YesY
KEGG D00203 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:2682 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL267345 YesY
NIAID ChemDB 000096
Chemical data
Formula C47H73NO17
Molecular mass 924.091
  • O=C(O)[C@@H]3[C@@H](O)C[C@@]2(O)C[C@@H](O)C[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CC[C@@H](O)C[C@@H](O)CC(=O)O[C@@H](C)[C@H](C)[C@H](O)[C@@H](C)C=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=C[C@H](O[C@@H]1O[C@H](C)[C@@H](O)[C@H](N)[C@@H]1O)C[C@@H]3O2
  • InChI=1S/C47H73NO17/c1-27-17-15-13-11-9-7-5-6-8-10-12-14-16-18-34(64-46-44(58)41(48)43(57)30(4)63-46)24-38-40(45(59)60)37(54)26-47(61,65-38)25-33(51)22-36(53)35(52)20-19-31(49)21-32(50)23-39(55)62-29(3)28(2)42(27)56/h5-18,27-38,40-44,46,49-54,56-58,61H,19-26,48H2,1-4H3,(H,59,60)/b6-5+,9-7+,10-8+,13-11+,14-12+,17-15+,18-16+/t27-,28-,29-,30+,31+,32+,33-,34-,35+,36+,37-,38-,40+,41-,42+,43+,44-,46-,47+/m0/s1 YesY
  • Key:APKFDSVGJQXUKY-INPOYWNPSA-N YesY
  (verify)

Amphotericin B is an antifungal drug often used intravenously for serious systemic fungal infections and is the only effective treatment for some fungal infections.[1]

Common side effects include a reaction of fever, shaking chills, headaches and low blood pressure soon after it is infused, as well as kidney and electrolyte problems.[1] Allergic symptoms including anaphylaxis may occur.[1]

It was originally extracted from Streptomyces nodosus, a filamentous bacterium, in 1955, at the Squibb Institute for Medical Research. Its name originates from the chemical's amphoteric properties. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.[2]

It is of the polyene class. Currently, the drug is available in many forms. Either "conventionally" complexed with sodium deoxycholate (ABD), as a cholesteryl sulfate complex (ABCD), as a lipid complex (ABLC), and as a liposomal formulation (LAMB). The latter formulations have been developed to improve tolerability and decrease toxicity, but may show considerably different pharmacokinetic characteristics compared to conventional amphotericin B.[3]

Medical uses

Antifungal

One of the main uses of amphotericin B is treating a wide range of systemic fungal infections. Due to its extensive side effects, it is often reserved for severe infections in critically ill, or immunocompromised patients. It is considered first line therapy for invasive mucormycosis infections, cryptococcal meningitis, and certain aspergillus and candidal infections.[4][5]

Antiprotozoal

Amphotericin B is often used in otherwise-untreatable protozoan infections such as visceral leishmaniasis[6] and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.[7]

Spectrum of susceptibility

The following table shows the Amphotericin B susceptibility for a selection of medically important fungi.

Species Amphotericin B

MIC breakpoint (mg/L)

Aspergillus fumigatus 1[8]
Aspergillus terreus Resistant[3][8]
Candida albicans 1[8]
Candida krusei 1[8]
Candida glabrata 1[8]
Candida lusitaniae Intrinsically resistant[3]
Cryptococcus neoformans 2[9]
Fusarium oxysporum 2[9]

Route of administration

Intravenous

Deoxycholate

Amphotericin B alone is insoluble in normal saline at a pH of 7. The original formulation used sodium deoxycholate to improve solubility.[3] Amphotericin B deoxycholate (ABD) is administered IV, though with frequent adverse effects as detailed in the side effects section.[10] As the original formulation of amphotericin, it is often referred to as "conventional" amphotericin.[11]

Liposomal formulations

In order to improve the tolerability of amphotericin and reduce toxicity, several lipid formulations have been developed.[3]

From studies, it appears that liposomal amphotericin B preparations exhibit fewer side effects, while having similar efficacy. Various preparations have recently been introduced. All of these are more expensive than plain amphotericin B.

AmBisome (LAMB) is a liposomal formulation of amphotericin B for injection, developed by NeXstar Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Gilead Sciences in 1999). It was approved by the FDA in 1997.[12] It is marketed by Gilead in Europe and licensed to Astellas Pharma (formerly Fujisawa Pharmaceuticals) for marketing in the USA, and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals in Japan. It consists of a mixture of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol that in aqueous media they spontaneously arrange into unilamellar vesicles that contain amphotericin B.[3][13]

Liposomal formulations have been primarily used as it has been found to have less renal toxicity than deoxycholate.[14] Guidelines also recommend the use of LAMB for CNS fungal infections due to better pharmacokinetics and CNS penetration but do note that this is based only on animal models.[15][16]

Fungisome[17] is a generic liposomal complex of amphotericin B. It is marketed by Lifecare Innovations of India.

Lipid complex formulations

Amphotec (ABCD) and Abelcet (ABLC) are lipid complex preparations. Abelcet was approved by the FDA in 1995.[18] It consists of amphotericin B and two lipids in a 1:1 ratio that form large ribbon-like structures.[3] Amphotec is a complex of amphotericin and sodium cholesteryl sulfate in a 1:1 ratio. Two molecules of each form a tetramer that aggregate into spiral arms on a disk-like complex.[13] It was approved by the FDA in 1996.[18] Neither of these are true unilamellar liposomes like ambisome.

Oral preparations

A major barrier to the use of amphotericin in resource-poor settings is that it must be given intravenously (except for topical applications). An oral preparation exists, but is not commercially available.[19] The amphipathic nature of amphotericin along with its low solubility and permeability has posed major hurdles for oral administration given its low bioavailability. In the past it had been used for fungal infections of the surface of the GI tract such as thrush, but has been replaced by other antifungals such as nystatin and fluconazole.[20]

However, recently novel nanoparticulate drug delivery systems such as AmbiOnp,[21] nanosuspensions, lipid-based drug delivery systems including cochleates, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems,[22] solid lipid nanoparticles[23] and polymeric nanoparticles[24]—such as Amphotericin B in pegylated polylactide coglycolide copolymer nanoparticles[25]—have demonstrated potential for oral formulation of amphotericin B.[26]

Side effects

Amphotericin B is well known for its severe and potentially lethal side effects. Very often, a serious acute reaction after the infusion (1 to 3 hours later) is noted, consisting of high fever, shaking chills (leading to the medical slang term "shake and bake"),[27] hypotension, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, headache, dyspnea and tachypnea, drowsiness, and generalized weakness. This reaction sometimes subsides with later applications of the drug, and may in part be due to histamine liberation. An increase in prostaglandin synthesis may also play a role. This nearly universal febrile response necessitates a critical (and diagnostically difficult) professional determination as to whether the onset of high fever is a novel symptom of a fast-progressing disease, or merely the effect of the drug. To decrease the likelihood and severity of the symptoms, initial doses should be low, and increased slowly. Paracetamol, pethidine, diphenhydramine, and hydrocortisone have all been used to treat or prevent the syndrome, but the prophylactic use of these drugs is often limited by the patient's condition.

Intravenously administered amphotericin B in therapeutic doses has also been associated with multiple organ damage. Kidney damage is a frequently reported side effect, and can be severe and/or irreversible. Less kidney toxicity has been reported with liposomal formulations such as AmBisome) and it has become preferred in patients with preexisting renal injury.[28][29] The integrity of the liposome is disrupted when it binds to the fungal cell wall, but is not affected by the mammalian cell membrane,[30] so the association with liposomes decreases the exposure of the kidneys to amphotericin B, which explains its less nephrotoxic effects.[31]

In addition, electrolyte imbalances such as hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia are also common.[32] In the liver, increased liver enzymes and hepatotoxicity (up to and including fulminant liver failure) are common. In the circulatory system, several forms of anemia and other blood dyscrasias (leukopenia, thrombopenia), serious cardiac arrhythmias (including ventricular fibrillation), and even frank cardiac failure have been reported. Skin reactions, including serious forms, are also possible.

Interactions

  • Flucytosine: Toxicity of flucytosine is increased and allows a lower dose of amphotericin B. Amphotericin B may also facilitate entry of flucystosine into the fungal cell by interfering with the permeability of the fungal cell membrane.
  • Diuretics or cisplatin: Increased renal toxicity and increased risk of hypokalemia
  • Corticosteroids: Increased risk of hypokalemia
  • Cytostatic drugs: Increased risk of kidney damage, hypotension, and bronchospasms
  • Other nephrotoxic drugs (such as aminoglycosides): Increased risk of serious renal damage
  • Foscarnet, ganciclovir, tenofovir, adefovir: Risk of hematological and renal side effects of amphotericin B are increased
  • Transfusion of leukocytes: Risk of pulmonal (lung) damage occurs, space the intervals between the application of amphotericin B and the transfusion, and monitor pulmonary function

Mechanism of action

As with other polyene antifungals, amphotericin B binds with ergosterol, a component of fungal cell membranes, forming a transmembrane channel that leads to monovalent ion (K+, Na+, H+ and Cl) leakage, which is the primary effect leading to fungal cell death. Researchers have found evidence that pore formation is not the only mechanism responsible for cell death.[33][34] By an unknown mechanism, amphotericin B also causes oxidative stress within the fungal cell and the addition of free radical scavengers or induction of antioxidant enzymes in pathogens can lead to amphotericin resistance in species such as scedosporium prolificans without having to effect cell wall ergosterol.[35][36]

Two amphotericins, amphotericin A and amphotericin B, are known, but only B is used clinically, because it is significantly more active in vivo. Amphotericin A is almost identical to amphotericin B (having a double C=C bond between the 27th and 28th carbons), but has little antifungal activity.[37]

Mechanism of toxicity

Mammalian and fungal membranes both contain sterols, a primary membrane target for amphotericin B. Because mammalian and fungal membranes are similar in structure and composition, this is one mechanism by which amphotericin B causes cellular toxicity. Amphotericin B molecules can form pores in the host membrane as well as the fungal membrane. This impairment in membrane barrier function can have lethal effects.[34][38][39] Bacteria are not affected as their cell membranes do not contain sterols.

Amphotericin administration is limited by infusion-related toxicity. This is thought to result from innate immune production of proinflammatory cytokines.[38][40]

Biosynthesis

The natural route to synthesis includes polyketide synthase components.[41] The carbon chains of Amphotericin B are assembled from sixteen ‘C2’ acetate and three ‘C3’propionate units by polyketide synthases (PKSs).[42] Polyketide biosynthesis begins with the decarboxylative condensation of a dicarboxylic acid extender unit with a starter acyl unit to form a β-ketoacyl intermediate. The growing chain is constructed by a series of Claisen reactions. Within each module, the extender units are loaded onto the current ACP domain by acetyl transferase (AT). The ACP-bound elongation group reacts in a Claisen condensation with the KS-bound polyketide chain. Ketoreductase (KR), dehydratase (DH) and enoyl reductase (ER) enzymes may also be present to form alcohol, double bonds or single bonds.[43] After cyclisation, the macrolactone core undergoes further modification by hydroxylation, methylation and glycosylation. The order of these processes is unknown.

File:Biosynthesis of amphotericin B.pdf

History

It was originally extracted from Streptomyces nodosus, a filamentous bacterium, in 1955, at the Squibb Institute for Medical Research from cultures of an undescribed streptomycete isolated from the soil collected in the Orinoco River region of Venezuela.[37] Two antifungal substances were isolated from the soil culture, Amphotericin A and Amphotericin B, but B had better antifungal activity. For decades it remained it the only effective therapy for invasive fungal disease until the development of the azole antifungals in the early 1980s.[10]

Its complete stereo structure was determined in 1970 by an X-ray structure of the N-iodoacetyl derivative.[44] The first synthesis of the compound's naturally occurring enantiomeric form was achieved in 1988.[45]

Society and culture

Brand names

Fungilin, Fungizone, Abelcet, AmBisome, Fungisome, Amphocil, Amphotec

References

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  21. Patel, Pratikkumar A., and Vandana B. Patravale. "AmbiOnp: solid lipid nanoparticles of amphotericin B for oral administration." Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology 7.5 (2011): 632-639.
  22. Wasan EK, Bartlett K, Gershkovich P, Sivak O, Banno B, Wong Z, Gagnon J, Gates B, Leon CG, Wasan KM. Development and characterization of oral lipid-based amphotericin B formulations with enhanced drug solubility, stability and antifungal activity in rats infected with Aspergillus fumigatus or Candida albicans. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2009; 372(1-2):76-84
  23. Patel PA, Patravale,VB. AmbiOnp: solid lipid nanoparticles of amphotericin B for oral administration. Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology.2011; 7(5):632-639
  24. Italia JL, Yahya MM, Singh D. Biodegradable nanoparticles improve oral Bioavailability of Amphotericin B and Show Reduced Nephrotoxicity Compared to Intravenous Fungizone®. Pharmaceutical Research. 2009; 26 (6): 1324 -1331
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External links