Posaconazole oral suspension as salvage therapy for invasive fungal disease in patients with hematological diseases

Abstract

Aim: Posaconazole (POS) is an extended-spectrum triazole approved for treatment of refractory invasive fungal disease. Outcome analysis of POS salvage therapy is of great clinical significance. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data for 113 patients who received POS oral suspension as salvage therapy between December 2013 and May 2018. Results: Cumulative success rate at 12 weeks was 53.1% (60/113) with a rapid increase within the first 3-4 weeks and a plateau at 6 weeks after POS initiation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disseminated infection, prolonged neutropenia, severe graft-versus-host disease and high-dose steroid use were independent risk factors of response. Conclusion: POS oral suspension is effective as a salvage therapy for invasive fungal disease.