Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antifungal Agents: Toward Harmonization of Therapeutic Ranges

Background: Invasive fungal infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Antifungal therapy is complicated by substantial pharmacokinetic variability, drug–drug interactions, and narrow therapeutic windows for some agents. Although therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can optimize drug exposure, therapeutic targets vary across studies and guidelines. The aim of this review was to provide an updated overview of antifungal TDM and support the harmonization of therapeutic ranges based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) evidence. Methods: A comprehensive search of major literature databases and international guidelines was conducted through November 2025 to identify studies reporting antifungal therapeutic targets and clinical applications of TDM. When therapeutic ranges differed across studies or guidelines, alternative targets were reported, considering the clinical settings and populations in which they were proposed. Results: Robust evidence supports routine TDM for triazoles with high pharmacokinetic variability, particularly voriconazole and posaconazole, for which target trough concentrations are well established and associated with clinical outcomes. For isavuconazole, routine TDM is not universally recommended but may benefit selected high-risk populations, including critically ill, pediatric, and obese patients and those receiving extracorporeal therapies. Conversely, routine TDM is not currently recommended for echinocandins or amphotericin B because of limited exposure–response data, although emerging evidence suggests that TDM may be useful in selected clinical scenarios. Variability in PK/PD targets, analytical methods, and preanalytical factors contributes to inconsistent implementation in clinical practice. Conclusions: Harmonization of antifungal therapeutic ranges is essential to improve the clinical utility of TDM and support individualized antifungal therapy. Further studies are required to establish standardized targets for all antifungal classes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Published
2026-10-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/ftd.0000000000001539
Primary Topic
Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antifungal Agents: Toward Harmonization of Therapeutic Ranges

Antonello Di Paolo, Sara Cairoli, Alessia Cafaro, Massimo Tempestilli et al.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
article

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antifungal Agents: Toward Harmonization of Therapeutic Ranges

Antonello Di Paolo, Sara Cairoli, Alessia Cafaro, Massimo Tempestilli, Jessica Cusato, Raffaele Simeoli, Giuliana Cangemi, Pierantonio Menna, Bianca Maria Goffredo, Dario Cattaneo, on behalf of the SIBioC Working Group “Therapeutic Drug Monitoring e Personalizzazione della Terapia”
article en

Abstract

Background: Invasive fungal infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Antifungal therapy is complicated by substantial pharmacokinetic variability, drug–drug interactions, and narrow therapeutic windows for some agents. Although therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can optimize drug exposure, therapeutic targets vary across studies and guidelines. The aim of this review was to provide an updated overview of antifungal TDM and support the harmonization of therapeutic ranges based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) evidence. Methods: A comprehensive search of major literature databases and international guidelines was conducted through November 2025 to identify studies reporting antifungal therapeutic targets and clinical applications of TDM. When therapeutic ranges differed across studies or guidelines, alternative targets were reported, considering the clinical settings and populations in which they were proposed. Results: Robust evidence supports routine TDM for triazoles with high pharmacokinetic variability, particularly voriconazole and posaconazole, for which target trough concentrations are well established and associated with clinical outcomes. For isavuconazole, routine TDM is not universally recommended but may benefit selected high-risk populations, including critically ill, pediatric, and obese patients and those receiving extracorporeal therapies. Conversely, routine TDM is not currently recommended for echinocandins or amphotericin B because of limited exposure–response data, although emerging evidence suggests that TDM may be useful in selected clinical scenarios. Variability in PK/PD targets, analytical methods, and preanalytical factors contributes to inconsistent implementation in clinical practice. Conclusions: Harmonization of antifungal therapeutic ranges is essential to improve the clinical utility of TDM and support individualized antifungal therapy. Further studies are required to establish standardized targets for all antifungal classes.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
University of Pisa (IT), Humanitas University (IT), Università Campus Bio-Medico (IT), Istituto Giannina Gaslini (IT), Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani (IT), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IT), Campus Bio Medico University Hospital (IT), Candiolo Cancer Institute (IT), IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital (IT), University of Turin (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
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