New Classes of Antifungals: A Vital Hope
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
The global health landscape faces a growing threat from fungal infections, exacerbated by climate change and the emergence of drug-resistant strains, such as the notorious Candida auris. Given the scarcity of treatment options—there are only three main classes of antifungals on the market, in contrast to dozens of antibiotics—the search for new "weapons" has been crucial. Recently, two independent discoveries have shed light on this battle.
Researchers in China have discovered Mandimycin, a compound produced by the bacterium Streptomyces netropsis. This new molecule has shown to be effective even against resistant C. auris strains in mice, outperforming common drugs like amphotericin B. Its mechanism of action is surprising: while some existing antifungals, such as amphotericin B, target ergosterol in fungal membranes (which often causes toxicity in human cells by extracting cholesterol), Mandimycin focuses on phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylinositol. What's most intriguing is that, despite phospholipids being present in all forms of life, Mandimycin shows significantly less toxicity to mouse kidneys and human kidney cells, and does not harm bacteria. It is speculated that its attack might be specific to phospholipids found only in fungi.
In parallel, a team at McMaster University in Canada has revealed a new class of molecules called Coniotins, isolated from a plant-dwelling fungus, Coniochaeta hoffmannii, found in the university's greenhouse. Coniotins have also shown potent activity against C. auris and other fungal pathogens, without harming human cells. Their innovative mechanism of action lies in their ability to bind directly to the fungal cell wall. Gerry Wright, the lead researcher of the study, likens the cell wall to the candy coating on an M&M; by disrupting this vital structure, Coniotins fundamentally compromise the survival of the fungal organism. This breakthrough was made possible through a technique called prefractionation, which allows scientists to identify previously "hidden" molecules in complex chemical mixtures.
These discoveries are crucial because fungi are biologically closer to humans than to bacteria, which complicates the development of safe treatments. The global emergence of C. auris, a particular threat to immunocompromised individuals, has underscored the urgent need for these new tools. Although mysteries remain, especially for Mandimycin, and development steps lie ahead for both compounds, these new classes of antifungals represent a significant leap in our ability to combat resistant fungal infections.
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