Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum polyene antifungal agent used for serious systemic fungal infections and, in some settings, for parasitic diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum polyene antifungal agent used for serious systemic fungal infections and, in some settings, for parasitic diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis. It is a clinically important drug because of its potent activity against a wide range of pathogenic fungi, including Candida species and invasive molds, and because it remains a key option when infections are severe, refractory, or life-threatening. In the recent literature provided, amphotericin B is described as an FDA-approved therapy with recognized efficacy but also with substantial toxicity concerns, particularly when administered systemically.
Its biological activity is generally attributed to binding ergosterol in fungal cell membranes, leading to membrane disruption and cell death. This mechanism underlies its use against invasive fungal disease, but the same membrane-associated effects also contribute to adverse reactions that have driven the development of improved formulations, especially liposomal amphotericin B. Recent research has continued to focus on balancing efficacy and toxicity through drug delivery innovations, combination therapy, and alternative administration routes.
Where the papers sit
10 papers from the last 6 months study Amphotericin B directly · updated from PubMed 5 Oct 2026
Study type 0 clinical trials · 2 observational · 2 human data · 6 preclinical
Themes 3 themes
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Targeted Antifungal Drug Delivery
Localized amphotericin B delivery is moving toward bioresponsive gels, liposomes and microneedle-based systems rather than conventional administration. Nanocubosomal ophthalmic gels and drug-loaded microneedles aim to improve treatment of fungal keratitis while limiting ocular irritation and tissue damage. Related microneedle work targets cutaneous leishmaniasis, extending local delivery beyond fungal disease. Evidence remains predominantly preclinical, with formulation performance and in vivo efficacy still requiring validation.
5 papers · 50%
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Cryptococcal Meningitis Care
HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis remains the central clinical problem, including cases with preserved CD4 counts and unusual neurologic presentations. Cerebrospinal-fluid HIV escape, diplopia, areflexia and ischemic stroke highlight the need for broad diagnostic suspicion. Fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine remain key treatment references. Improving access to diagnosis and treatment, particularly in Malawi, is the main clinical priority.
3 papers · 30%
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Antifungal Biomaterials and Synergy
Antifungal research is combining amphotericin B with polymeric biomaterials and plant-derived agents against Candida. PVA/chitosan wet-spun fibres loaded through hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin are being characterized as sustained antifungal materials. Curcuma longa extracts are evaluated for direct activity, antibiofilm effects and synergy with antifungals. The work remains exploratory, centered on physicochemical validation and in vitro efficacy rather than clinical outcomes.
2 papers · 20%
Papers
The 10 papers from the last 6 months that study Amphotericin B directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
Targeted Antifungal Drug Delivery (5)
- Personalized curved-backing microneedles with amphotericin B-loaded nanoparticles for fungal keratitis treatment. Journal of materials chemistry. B · 3 Sept 2026 PMID 42687816
- Development and in vivo evaluation of novel bioresponsive nanocubosomal in-situ gelling system for ophthalmic delivery of Amphotericin B. International journal of pharmaceutics · 18 May 2026 PMID 42150646
- Microneedle-based injection of Fungizone/Amphotericin B: an effective treatment for American cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice. Drug delivery · 5 May 2026 PMID 42083326
- Furanocoumarin-rich extracts from Trichocline plicata as natural photosensitizers for the photodynamic inactivation of Leishmania amazonensis: Insights into ROS- and DNA-mediated mechanisms. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology · 1 May 2026 PMID 42066647
- Liposome-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Mechanisms, Preparation Strategies, Clinical Status, and Therapeutic Applications. AAPS PharmSciTech · 23 Apr 2026 PMID 42026392
Cryptococcal Meningitis Care (3)
- Cryptococcal meningitis with cerebrospinal fluid human immunodeficiency virus escape presenting as transient diplopia and areflexia. BMJ case reports · 16 Sept 2026 PMID 42749340
- Acute ischemic stroke revealing cryptococcal meningitis in an HIV-infected patient with a relatively preserved CD4 count: a case report. Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 1 Sept 2026 PMID 42678554
- Clinical Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Improving Access to Cryptococcal Meningitis Diagnostics and Treatment in Malawi. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 28 May 2026 PMID 42206850
Antifungal Biomaterials and Synergy (2)
- Physicochemical and in vitro characterisation of antifungal PVA/chitosan composite wet-spun fibres loaded with hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin/amphotericin B complexes. International journal of pharmaceutics · 5 Sept 2026 PMID 42700906
- In vitro evaluation of Curcuma longa extract for antifungal, antibiofilm, and synergistic activity against Candida spp. Scientific reports · 6 Jul 2026 PMID 42409910
By study type
Observational studies and case reports (2)
- Cryptococcal meningitis with cerebrospinal fluid human immunodeficiency virus escape presenting as transient diplopia and areflexia. BMJ case reports · 16 Sept 2026 PMID 42749340
- Acute ischemic stroke revealing cryptococcal meningitis in an HIV-infected patient with a relatively preserved CD4 count: a case report. Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 1 Sept 2026 PMID 42678554
Human data, design not indexed (2)
- In vitro evaluation of Curcuma longa extract for antifungal, antibiofilm, and synergistic activity against Candida spp. Scientific reports · 6 Jul 2026 PMID 42409910
- Clinical Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Improving Access to Cryptococcal Meningitis Diagnostics and Treatment in Malawi. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 28 May 2026 PMID 42206850
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (6)
- Physicochemical and in vitro characterisation of antifungal PVA/chitosan composite wet-spun fibres loaded with hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin/amphotericin B complexes. International journal of pharmaceutics · 5 Sept 2026 PMID 42700906
- Personalized curved-backing microneedles with amphotericin B-loaded nanoparticles for fungal keratitis treatment. Journal of materials chemistry. B · 3 Sept 2026 PMID 42687816
- Development and in vivo evaluation of novel bioresponsive nanocubosomal in-situ gelling system for ophthalmic delivery of Amphotericin B. International journal of pharmaceutics · 18 May 2026 PMID 42150646
- Microneedle-based injection of Fungizone/Amphotericin B: an effective treatment for American cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice. Drug delivery · 5 May 2026 PMID 42083326
- Furanocoumarin-rich extracts from Trichocline plicata as natural photosensitizers for the photodynamic inactivation of Leishmania amazonensis: Insights into ROS- and DNA-mediated mechanisms. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology · 1 May 2026 PMID 42066647
- Liposome-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Mechanisms, Preparation Strategies, Clinical Status, and Therapeutic Applications. AAPS PharmSciTech · 23 Apr 2026 PMID 42026392
Written from 10 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-06-16. Last written: 2026-09-03 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.