Cryptococcosis: Comparison
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Cryptococcosis is an important opportunistic infection and a leading cause of meningitis in patients with HIV infection. The current antifungal pharmacological treatment is limited; in addition, the high toxicity, increased resistance rate, and difficulty of the currently available antifungal molecules to cross the blood-brain barrier hamper the treatment. Thus, the search for new alternatives for the treatment of cryptococcosis is extremely necessary. Here we describe the therapeutic strategies currently available and discuss new molecules with antifungal potential in different phases of clinical trials and in the advanced pre-clinical phase.

  • Cryptococcus
  • antifungal
  • synthetic molecules
  • Drug Repurposing
  • Immunobiological

1. Current Therapy

The treatment of cryptococcal meningitis consists of three phases: induction (2 weeks), consolidation (8 weeks) and maintenance (6–12 months). The guidelines of the Society for Infectious Diseases of America [1] and the World Health Organization [2] emphasize the importance of the use of potent fungicidal drugs during the induction phase; however, worldwide access to antifungal drugs is still inadequate [3], which highlights the importance of alternative treatment strategies.

The primary therapy of cryptococcal meningitis depends on the condition of the patients infected with Cryptococcus. For HIV-infected, HIV-non infected and non-transplanted individuals, the primary therapy consists on the induction with AMB (0.7–1.0 mg/kg/day) plus 5-FC (100 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. For consolidation and maintenance, FLC at 400 mg/day for 8 weeks (minimum) and at 200 mg/day for 6–12 months, respectively, are employed. In addition, there are other alternative regimens; for example, in case of AMB intolerance, LAMB (3–4 mg/kg/day) or ABLC (5 mg/kg/day) can be used. If 5-FC is not used, AMB deoxycholate or AMB lipid formulations should be maintained for at least 2 weeks [1].

For patients with nonmeningeal cryptococcosis forms as pulmonary (immunosuppressed and nonimmunosupressed) and nonpulmonary cryptococcosis, FLC (400 mg/day) for 6–12 months is recommended. For the pulmonary (nonimmunosupressed) form, voriconazole (VRC) (200 mg twice/day), itraconazole (ITC) (200 mg/day), and posaconazole (POS) (400 mg twice/day) are acceptable alternatives if FLC is unavailable or contraindicated [1].

1.1. Amphotericin B (AMB)

Despite AMB dose-limiting toxicity, it has remained the gold standard for treating disseminated life-threatening fungal infections [4]. Its fungicidal effect is associated with AMB binding to ergosterol in the membranes of fungal cell (Figure 1) [5][6]. AMB perturbs the membrane function, causing leakage of cellular contents, and leads to death by cellular dysfunction [5][6]. The first commercially available formulation was Fungizone®, a conventional micellar form of AMB and deoxycholate. Currently, parenteral formulations based on lipid carriers are also available, and they include a liposomal formulation (LAMB), a lipid complex formulation (ABLC), and a colloidal dispersion (ABCD) [7]. Their main advantage is the reduction of side effects of AMB [8].

Resistance to AMB is rare and often caused by a decrease in the amount of ergosterol in the plasma membrane or a change in the target sterol, which leads to a decrease in the binding of AMB [1][9]. Some fungal cells have a mutation in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, producing ergosterol-like compounds instead of ergosterol, which have lower binding affinity for AMB [10][11].

 
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Figure 1. Conventional antifungals and new molecules for cryptococcosis treatment. Amphotericin B (AMB) and azoles inhibit ergosterol and its biosynthesis, respectively, and flucytosine inhibits the nucleic acids synthesis. New molecules acting on non-conventional targets or different structures of fungal cells may have antifungal effects. Erg11 (or Cyp51)—cytochrome P450-dependent lanosterol C14-alpha-demethylase; AcS—Acetyl CoA synthetase; Hsp90—Heat shock protein 90. (previously published in the review DOI:10.3390/microorganisms8040613)

1.2. Flucytosine (5-FC)

5-FC was synthesized in 1957 as a potent antitumoral agent [12][13]. 5-FC is taken into the fungal cell by cytosine permease, and its action as an antifungal agent depends on its conversion to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) within of the target cells. 5-FU becomes incorporated to the RNA and inhibits DNA synthesis by thymidylate synthase inhibition (Figure 1). It is most active agent against yeasts, including Candida and Cryptococcus spp. [14]; however, the occurrence of resistance to 5-FC prevents its use as a single agent [14][15][16][17][18]. Currently, its use is indicated only in combination with other antifungals, mainly AMB [8][14]. 5-FC exhibits significant adverse effects, in particular hepatotoxicity and myelotoxicity, which is probably due to toxic 5-FU plasma concentrations.

Fluconazole (FLC)

FLC is a triazole agent that inhibits the fungal cytochrome P450-dependent lanosterol C14-alpha-demethylase (Erg11 or Cyp51) leading to ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition (Figure 1) [19][20][21]. FLC diffuses easily into the cerebrospinal fluid, sputum and saliva, and is concentrated in the urine and skin [22]. The most frequent adverse effects are gastrointestinal events, headache and skin rashes; isolated instances of clinically evident hepatic dysfunction have occurred in patients with AIDS [23]. Over the years, there has been a gradual increase of resistance to FLC in clinical isolates of C. neoformans, and nowadays, resistance is a relatively common event in relapse episodes of cryptococcal meningitis [19]. FLC resistance phenotype in Cryptococcus spp. have been associated with mutations in the ERG11 gene [19][24][25]. However, heteroresistance in Cryptococcus spp. can lead to higher FLC tolerance by selection of heteroresistant clones after induction due to previous exposure to FLC [19][26].

1.3. Voriconazole (VRC)

VRC was developed to increase the antifungal spectrum of available triazoles. To reach this goal, the molecule of FLC was modified, with the substitution of the fluoropyrimidine ring for one of the azole groups, and addition of the α-methyl group to provide fungicidal activity against molds [27][28]. The most frequently reported adverse effect of VRC is transient visual disturbances, that are often associated with higher doses, and considerable hepatotoxic effects. In addition, studies reported important drug interactions with VRC [27]. An ongoing clinical trial study (from 2020 to 2022), named “Three Induction Treatments on Cryptococcal Meningitis (TITOC)”, is investigating its use for cryptococcosis treatment at the Hospital of the University of Zhejiang, China (NCT04072640, www.clinicaltrials.gov). Resistance to this azole is not a common event, but there are reports in the literature in recent years [29][30][31][32].

 

2. New Molecules and Drug Repurposing

Immunobiological and new molecules acting on non-conventional targets or other structures of the fungal cell might have potential as antifungal agents. In this context, drug repositioning is an interesting strategy for antifungal discovery because pharmacokinetics and safety data in humans have been previously established. Therefore, expanding the application of a drug to additional diseases is both cost and time-effective [33][34]. In this section, we will discuss new molecules and drugs currently used in the treatment of other diseases that have activity against Cryptococcus spp. (Figure 1).

2.1. Interferon-Gamma (IFN-γ)

IFN-γ is an endogenous cytokine with several biological properties and activities, including a key role in the host response to intracellular pathogens, directing the immune system towards the protective Th1 type immunity [35]. Exogenous IFN-γ has been investigated as a potential adjunct agent for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis. In a murine model of pulmonary and disseminated infection, IFN-γ administration resulted in the decrease of the fungal burden in the infected organs, and significantly extended mice survival [36]. One phase II clinical trial (NCT00012467) suggested that IFN-γ may provide rapid and early sterilization of CNS in patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis without pronounced adverse effects [35]. However, in another study, it was observed that even though administration of IFN-γ improved the fungal clearance from the CNS, it failed to significantly decrease patient mortality [37].

2.2. Mycograb

Mycograb is a recombinant human antibody against fungal heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which are chaperones required for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in various fungal pathogens [38][39]. Cryptococcus neoformans isolates were susceptible to mycograb at MIC values from 256 to 1024 µg/mL, and a synergistic effect was observed in combination with AMB [40]. The efficacy and safety of mycograb for cryptococcal meningitis are under evaluation in ongoing phase II clinical trials (NCT00324025 and NCT00847678).

2.3. 18B7

18B7 is a monoclonal antibody directed against the capsular polysaccharide of C. neoformans. Administration of 18B7 promoted rapid clearance of serum cryptococcal antigen and deposition in the liver and spleen, and presented no reactivity with normal mouse, rat, or human tissues [41]. It also reduced the fungal burden in tissues, improved granuloma formation, and demonstrated synergism with AMB, FLC and 5-FC in mice [42][43][44][45]. 18B7 was evaluated in a phase I clinical trial in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis, being well tolerated in doses up to 1 mg/kg without evidence of toxicity [46].

2.4. APX001 (Fosmanogepix)/APX001A (Manogepix)

APX001 (prodrug of APX001A) is a first-in-class small-molecule antifungal drug candidate that inhibits the fungal enzyme Gwt1 (an inositol acylase) in the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis pathway [47]. The APX001A MIC ranged from 0.03 to 2 µg/mL for 48 Cryptococcus spp. clinical isolates in vitro [48][49], and demonstrated in vitro synergism with FLC [49]. APX001 alone or in combination with FLC decreased the fungal burden in the lungs and brain using cryptococcal meningitis murine model [49]. Other structural analogues of APX001A also demonstrated an excellent in vitro inhibitory effect on C. neoformans; and using in vivo assay APX2096 (prodrug of APX2039) led to a nearly complete or complete sterilization of lungs and brain [49]. The preclinical efficacy of APX001/APX001A against Cryptococcus associated with previous safety and pharmacological data (NCT02957929 and NCT02956499) lend support to further clinical evaluation of the molecule for treatment of human cryptococcosis.

2.5. T-2307

T-2307 is a novel arylamidine derivative with broad-spectrum of action and potent in vitro and in vivo activities, that acts by selectively disrupting mitochondrial function in yeasts [50]. The antifungal activity for C. neoformans was observed at MIC ranging from 0.0039 to 0.0625 µg/mL [51], and for C. gattii at 0.0078–0.0625 µg/mL [52]. The efficacy of T-2307 was confirmed in murine models of cryptococcosis: at 0.1 mg/kg, T-2307 significantly delayed mortality in mice infected by C. neoformans when compared with the untreated group, and T-2307 exhibited a superior protective effect compared to AMB at similar treatment regimens [51]. Administration of T-2307 alone at 2 mg/kg/day significantly reduced viable cell counts in the lungs and brain of mice infected by C. gattii and the results were similar to standard treatments [52].

2.6. Sertraline

Sertraline is an antidepressant that belongs to the group of selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake. Initially used for treatment of major depressive disorder, it is now also approved for management of obsessive-compulsive, panic and post-traumatic stress disorders [53]. Although its mechanism of action on fungi has not fully elucidated, inhibition of protein synthesis in Cryptococcus spp. has been described [54]. In vitro studies showed that sertraline is effective to inhibit Cryptococcus growth at 1–8 µg/mL; in contrast to FLC, sertraline showed fungicidal effect at concentrations higher than 6 µg/mL [54][55]. Murine cryptococcosis model confirmed the antifungal activity observed in vitro, in which sertraline at 15 mg/kg decreased the fungal burden in the brain and spleen when compared with the untreated group [54][55]. Sertraline combined with FLC in vitro showed either additive or synergistic effects, and in animal models, this drug combination led to fungal clearance at a greater rate than either drug alone [54][56][57]. Sertraline use for cryptococcal meningitis treatment alone or in combination with AMB and FLC was investigated in phase III clinical trials (NCT01802385 and NCT03002012), and these studies demonstrated that sertraline did not reduce the mortality rate of patients. This lack of efficacy appears to be multifactorial, and might be associated with insufficient duration of therapeutic sertraline concentrations [58].

2.7. Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen belongs to the pharmacological class of selective estrogen receptor modulators; it is an estrogen receptor agonist in the bone, cardiovascular system, and endometrium, while acting as an estrogen receptor antagonist in the breast tissue. This drug is clinically used to treat and prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis [59]. Tamoxifen has in vitro antifungal activity against Cryptococcus spp. clinical isolates, with MIC ranging from 2 to 16 µg/mL, acting synergistically when combined with AMB and FLC [60][61]. In the murine disseminated cryptococcosis model, treatment with tamoxifen at 200 mg/kg/day combined with FLC at 5 mg/kg/day decreased the burden fungal by ~1 log in the brain tissue [61]. The authors of the study suggested the use of this drug for treatment of cryptococcosis because high concentrations (well above of the MIC values) were reached in the CNS in addition to the antifungal activity inside macrophages, synergism with existing therapies AMB and FLC, and good oral bioavailability [59][61]. At the moment, clinical trials (phase II) are being carried out to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of tamoxifen in combination with standard therapies (AMB and FLC) in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis (NCT03112031). Although tamoxifen activity against Cryptococcus has been reported, and the drug is under evaluation in ongoing clinical trials for cryptococcosis treatment, its mechanism of action has not been elucidated yet.

2.8. AR-12

AR-12, a small molecule derived from celecoxib, was tested as an antitumoral agent in phase I clinical trials, and licensed to Arno Therapeutics (NCT00978523) [62]. AR-12 is a non-nucleoside acetyl CoA synthetase inhibitor as previously investigated in S. cerevisiae and C. albicans [63]. This molecule has broad-spectrum antifungal activity, including for C. neoformans, with MIC value of 4 µg/mL, and AR-12 was demonstrated to be effective in a murine model of disseminated cryptococcosis when combined with FLC (dose at 100 and 10 mg/kg, respectively), decreasing the fungal burden in the brain [64].

2.9. Miltefosine (MFS)

MFS belongs to the alkylphosphocholine class of molecules, and is used in the treatment of cutaneous metastases of breast cancer and leishmaniasis [65]. Studies showed that MFS has a broad-spectrum in vitro antifungal activity, including against C. gattii and C. neoformans isolates in the both planktonic (0.25–4 µg/mL) and biofilm (8 - ≥16 µg/mL) lifestyles [66][67][68]. Moreover, MFS was effective to control the fungal infection in the larval model of Galleria mellonella by C. gattii at 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg [69]. MFS at 3.6 and 7.2 mg/kg/day has shown effectiveness in the murine model of disseminated cryptococcosis [67] although this result has been conflicting with other work [70]. This contradiction demonstrates variable translation of in vitro MFS activity to in vivo murine models of disseminated cryptococcosis. Studies evidenced that MFS acts through multiple mechanisms, being able to alter membrane permeability, inhibit phospholipase B1 and induce an apoptotic-like cell death reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inducing DNA fragmentation and condensation [67][68]. Despite the extensive and exciting in vitro reports highlighting MFS usefulness as an antifungal drug, no clinical trial for treatment of fungal infections is under way.

2.10. Tetrazoles

Tetrazoles are synthetic molecules produced from azoles, non-metabolized bioisosteric analogs of carboxylic acid and cis-amide; they possess diverse chemotherapeutic properties and are highly selective fungal Cyp51 inhibitor [71][72]. Among tetrazoles, VT-1129 and VT-1598 are more selective for fungal Cyp51 than mammalian Cyp450 enzymes and both molecules showed antifungal efficacy against Cryptococcus spp. [73][74]. VT-1129 inhibited the growth of C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates at 0.003–4 µg/mL and 0.06–8 µg/mL, respectively [75][76]. VT-1598 has lower MIC values (0.06 to 0.15 µg/mL) [77][78]. In addition to the in vitro models, assays using cryptococcosis murine models demonstrated that oral administration of VT-1598 resulted in suitable plasma and brain concentrations, leading to a significant reduction in the brain fungal burden [78]. Recently, phase I clinical trials have started to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of VT-1598 (NCT04208321).

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