Atovaquone Effective Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Children
Researchers from St Jude Children’s Research Center have reported that atovaquone (Mepron®, Malarone®) is effective prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii in children with leukemia. The details of this study appeared in the April 15, 2007 issue of Cancer.[1]
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is a common infection in immunosuppressed patients including children with leukemia. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ, Bactrim®, Septra®) is the usual drug of choice for prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunosuppressed children and adults. However, intolerance or allergies to TMP-SMZ is common and alternatives are needed as desensitization is not always successful. Atovaquone is an anti-malarial drug which is active for the treatment and prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunosuppressed adults and has been used extensively in patients with HIV infection. Atovaquone is also active for the treatment of patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia who fail TMP-SMZ.[2]
In the current study, 86 children with leukemia who were intolerant to TMP-SMZ and received daily atovaquone for prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. In this study, no patient developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The drug was reported to be well tolerated.
Comments: Alternatives to TMP-SMZ prophylaxis are necessary because of drug sensitivity or intolerance. Atovaquone appears to be the drug of choice for this use in children.
References:
1] Madden RM, Pui C-H, Hughes WT, et al. Prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with atovaquone in children with leukemia. Cancer 2007;1654-1658.
[2] Amego RA, Nagar S, Maloba B, et al. A meta-analysis of salvage therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Archives of Internal Medicine 2001;161:1529-1533.
© 1998-2007 OncoEd.com All Rights Reserved.
These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. All readers should verify all information and data before administering any drug, therapy or treatment discussed herein. Neither the editors nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or consequences from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.
Patient Home
