A controlled clinical trial of itraconazole for prevention of fungal infections secondary to chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT

To study the preventive effect of itraconazole against fungal infections following chemotherapy in tumor patients, we conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial in 114 tumor patients receiving chemotherapy, who were divided into itraconazole treatment group (n=52) and control group (n=62) and the incidences of fungal infections after chemotherapy were recorded. In comparison with the control group, itraconazole treatment group exhibited a significant decrease in fungal infection episodes (12.8% vs 3.8%), illustrating the efficacy of itraconazole treatment as a preventive measure against fungal infections secondary to chemotherapy.