The role of murine models in the development of antifungal therapy for systemic mycoses

Animal testing is crucial to the development of new antifungal compounds. T his review describes the role that murine and other animal models have play ed in the development of three classes of antifungal agents: the polyenes, the triazoles and the echinocandins and the ways in which these models have been either the positive link in the path from in vitro studies to the pat ient, or have foreclosed later clinical evaluation. Efficacy studies in par ticular mycoses are discussed, as well as studies designed to determine whe ther combinations of antifungal drugs may have value over single agents. (C ) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.