Micafungin as primary antifungal prophylaxis in patients presenting with acute myeloid leukemia.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of micafungin for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational single-center study of 41 patients from the hematology department between May 2012 and April 2015. Micafungin was administered once daily from the first day of induction chemotherapy to the end of the neutropenic phase. RESULTS: Neither Candida nor Aspergillus infection was documented in our 41 patients from the first day of micafungin infusion to the end of the neutropenic phase. Patients were followed for three months after discontinuation of micafungin and none of them contracted an invasive fungal infection. Only one patient presented with grade III-IV hepatic and ionic toxicities. CONCLUSION: Micafungin is associated with a good safety profile and is an interesting option for preventing invasive fungal infections in the high-risk population of patients presenting with hematological disorders.