PHARMACOLOGY AND

The antifungal agents most frequently used in prophylaxis and treatment are amphotericin B (and its new lipid forms) and azoles such as fluconazole, itraconazole, and more recently voriconazole. This review assesses the role of itraconazole in paediatric haematology/oncology practice. Its broader spectrum of activity and availability in oral and intravenous forms allow a flexible approach in the management of fungal infections. Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a majorcause of morbidity and mortality amongneutropenic cancer patients. Their incidence has increased over the past decade because of increasing intensity of chemotherapy regimens and the use of high dose therapy with stem cell rescue.1 2 In Europe and North America, candida and aspergillus infections are the most common. The diagnosis of IFI remains elusive and chal-lenging and contrary to the case with bacterial infections, therapeutic intervention has limited success. As a result, prophylaxis and empirical pre-emptive therapy play a key role in patient management.3–