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An Advanced Anti-Fungal Agent
About
Recent studies indicate that the mortality rate for people with compromised immune systems who contract systemic fungal infections is 38 percent. In the US alone, this group, consisting of those with HIV, cancer, bone marrow transplant and organ transplant patients, number 9 million. The total market opportunity for treatment grows at 11% per year. Leading treatments known as "azole" category anti-fungals are becoming less effective due to growing fungal resistance. Infections involving the Candida species rank as the fourth most common type of infection that originates in a hospital. Candida is also responsible for a range of other, less serious human hygiene issues, including oral cavity infections, yeast infections and infections of the urethrae, ear canal, the respiratory system, and various skin and mucosal surfaces.
Key Benefits
The retro-and retro-D-histatin peptides offer the promise of being more stable than the natural histatins. The presence of D-amino acids, coupled with the sequence reversal, makes these peptides more likely to have better pharmacokinetic properties than the natural histatin peptides. Such properties would have the advantage of requiring less frequent administration of the peptide composition used to treat patients, resulting in the potential reduction in cost as well as convenience with the desired therapeutic results with less frequent administration.
Applications
The retro- and retro-D-histatin peptides described in this application can be used in compositions, and methods for treatment and prevention of fungal, and in particular, candida infections, as well as for bacterial infections. Examples of target sites for treatment by the retro- and retro-D-histatin peptides include the vagina, the urethra, the ear, the oral cavity, the respiratory system, the ophthalmic region, and various mucosal surfaces and skin. The retro- and retro-D-histatin peptides can also be administered by various routes, such as intravenously and subdermally. The compositions and methods of treatment described herein are not limited to humans, but may also be applied to veterinary applications. Examples of the products containing the retro- and/or retro-Dhistatin peptides that may be developed include the following list to items that is not considered comprehensive.