Candidemia

The purpose of this clinical trial is to learn about the safety and effects of the study medicine (called Fosmanogepix) for the potential treatment of candidemia and/or invasive candidiasis, a life-threatening fungal infection caused by several species of yeast called Candida. The study is seeking patients who have a diagnosis of candidemia and/or invasive candidiasis. Two-thirds of all patients will receive the study medication fosmanogepix Intravenous (IV) infusion followed by optional fosmanogepix tablets. One-third of all patients will receive a standard of care regimen of caspofungin Intravenous (IV) infusion followed by optional fluconazole capsules. Fosmanogepix or caspofungin will first be given as an Intravenous (IV) infusion directly into a vein in the arm each day at the study clinic. Fosmanogepix tablets or fluconazole capsules will be taken orally by mouth daily either at the study clinic, or at home if patients are well enough to be discharged from the hospital. The treatment effect in patients receiving fosmanogepix to those receiving caspofungin/ fluconazole will be compared. The primary aim is to show that fosmanogepix is not inferior (not worse) to caspofungin/ fluconazole with a noninferiority margin of 15%. The duration of study treatment and number of study visits will vary depending on how long the patient will be treated for the infection. Treatment will continue for a maximum of 6 weeks depending on when the infection is cleared and whether other symptoms related to the infection have improved. There will also be a follow-up visit 6 weeks after the study treatment was stopped.

CanTEN is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive, non-inferiority phase 4 trial investigating a shortened treatment duration in patients with uncomplicated candidemia. Current guidelines recommend a 14-day treatment after documented clearance of candidemia. The traditional 14-day treatment duration for uncomplicated candidemia is not sufficiently evidence-based. In a variety of bacterial infections, shorter treatment has been proven safe and efficacious, thus reducing resistance development, toxicity, and costs. This study aims to demonstrate the non-inferiority of 10 days (Group B) of treatment compared to 14 days (Group A) in patients with a controlled source of candidemia. Once the primary endpoint have been assessed in 50% of the participants, an unblinded interim analysis will be conducted. If non-inferiority can be demonstrated, Group C will be initiated with a 7-day treatment duration. The primary endpoint is the rate of recurrent candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37). Secondary endpoints include the time from randomization to recurrent candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis, clinical cure, radiological cure and mycological eradication at the end of study treatment (Day 7) and at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37). In addition, all-cause mortality and mortality attributable to candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis will be measured at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37) . Additional secondary endpoints include candidemia-attributable healthcare resources use at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37), Caspofungin-related adverse events (AEs) occurring until 30 days after last administration of caspofungin and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs; EQ-5D-5L and WHODAS 2.0) on Day 1 and Day 37. As an exploratory endpoint, the study will examine the impact of age, sex, relevant comorbidities, SOFA and qSOFA score, use of vasopressors and Candida species on recurrence of candidemia.

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether a seven-day course of standard of care (echinocandin) antifungal therapy is non-inferior to a 14-day course of echinocandin antifungal therapy in patients with uncomplicated candidemia in terms of clinical, mycologic, adverse events and all cause mortality.

Scientific justification Candidemia is a major public health problem. In France, the 30-day mortality of candidemia varies from 30% to 50% depending on the need for intensive care and it has not decreased in 30 years. The duration of treatment for candidemia was set at a minimum of 14 days after the last positive blood culture following the Rex trial (1) comparing the efficacy of fluconazole vs amphotericin B where the minimum duration of treatment was imposed. The risk of a too short treatment is the absence of control of the candidemia with secondary dissemination, in particular cardiac and ophthalmic. A retrospective study looking at the risk of ophthalmologic complications after candidemia found among the 21/78 treated for less than 14 days, only one case of late endophthalmitis in a patient who had only been treated for 48 hours. In addition, the prolonged duration of antifungals exposes the risk of selection of more resistant strains with a modification of the flora, with the possibility of acquiring resistance as early as 8 days of treatment with caspofungin, and has a greater liver toxicity. There is no prospective study on the direct impact of antifungal agents (type of antifungal agent and duration) on the mycobiota.