Antifungal prophylaxis and treatment in patients with hematological malignancies

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is a serious and common complication in hematological patients. The risk is highest among acute leukemia patients undergoing induction chemotherapy and patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Owing to the difficulty in diagnosing IFIs and the fatality rate associated with delayed treatment, antifungal prophylaxis and empirical antifungal therapy are standard management approaches. Novel agents, such as posaconazole and echinocandins, broaden our armamentarium against IFIs and improve patients outcomes. © 2010 Expert Reviews Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex