Merck & Co's Cancidas comparable to AmBisome in IFI

US drug major Merck & Co's Cancidas (caspofungin acetate) demonstrated a safety and efficacy profile generally similar to Gilead Sciences' antifungal agent AmBisome (liposomal amphotericin B for injection) in a clinical study involving its investigational use for pediatric empirical therapy against suspected invasive fungal infections in patients aged two to 17 years with persistent fever and neutropenia. AmBisome is regarded as a standard treatment option against IFI, Merck noted, adding that Cancidas in pediatric patients is investigational.

According to the results, which were presented at the 47th annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, held in Chicago, USA, Cancidas showed a safety profile in pediatric patients generally similar to that of AmbiSome. In those treated with Cancidas, the most common drug-related adverse events were fever (29%), headache (9%), rash (9%), decreased potassium (4%), chills , rapid heart beat and vomiting (all 2%).

According to Merck, from an efficacy perspective, patients treated with Cancidas achieved an overall response rate that was generally similar to L-AmB. Approximately 41% of study participants responded favorably to Cancidas versus 28% of those on AmbiSome. 91% of patients completed Cancidas therapy without any premature discontinuations due to lack of efficacy or toxicity, vs 84% on AmbiSome, the firm added.