Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
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Animal model systems are a critical component of the process of discovery and development of new antifungal agents for treatment and prevention of invasive aspergillosis. The persistently neutropenic rabbit model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has been a highly predictive system in identifying new antifungal agents for treatment and prevention of this frequently lethal infection. Since its initial development, the persistently neutropenic rabbit model of IPA has established a strong preclinical foundation for dosages, drug disposition, pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and efficacy for deoxycholate amphotericin B, liposomal amphotericin B, amphotericin B lipid complex, amphotericin B colloidal dispersion, caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole, and ibrexafungerp in treatment of patients with invasive aspergillosis. ⋯ The decision to move from laboratory to clinical trials should be predicated upon a portfolio of complementary and mutually validating preclinical laboratory animal models studies. Other model systems, including those in mice, rats, and guinea pigs, are also valuable tools in developing clinical protocols. Meticulous preclinical investigation of a candidate antifungal compound in a robust series of complementary laboratory animal models will optimize study design, de-risk clinical trials, and ensure tangible benefit to our most vulnerable immunocompromised patients with invasive aspergillosis.