Vaccines against candidiasis: Status, challenges and emerging opportunity

Candidiasis is a mycosis caused by opportunistic Candida species. The occurrence of fungal infections has considerably increased in the last few years primarily due to an increase in the number of immune-suppressed individuals. Alarming bloodstream infections due to Candida sp. are associated with a higher rate of morbidity and mortality, and are emerged as major healthcare concerns worldwide. Currently, chemotherapy is the sole available option for combating fungal diseases. Moreover, the emergence of resistance to these limited available anti-fungal drugs has further accentuated the concern and highlighted the need for early detection of fungal infections, identification of novel antifungal drug targets, and development of effective therapeutics and prophylactics. Thus, there is an increasing interest in developing safe and potent immune-based therapeutics to tackle fungal diseases. In this context, vaccine design and its development have a priority. Nonetheless, despite significant advances in immune and vaccine biology over time, a viable commercialized vaccine remains awaited against fungal infections. In this minireview, we enumerate various concerted efforts made till date towards the development of anti-Candida vaccines, an option with pan-fugal vaccine, vaccines in the clinical trial, challenges, and future opportunities.

Automated summary

The increase in fungal infections, particularly caused by opportunistic Candida species, has become a major healthcare concern worldwide due to the rise in immune-suppressed individuals. Chemotherapy is currently the only option available for combating these fungal diseases, however, the emergence of resistance to limited antifungal drugs highlights the urgent need for early detection, identification of new drug targets, and development of effective therapies. There is a growing interest in developing safe and potent immune-based therapeutics to address fungal diseases, with vaccine design and development being a priority.