Screening of Drugs with Potential Antifungal Activity for Repurposing in the Treatment of Cryptococcosis

This study evaluated the anticryptococcal potential of 27 drugs against Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, focusing on their antifungal activity. Antiparasitics such as albendazole, fenbendazole, flubendazole, and mebendazole, along with antidepressants duloxetine and paroxetine, demonstrated significant antifungal activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 100 µmol L-1 or less. The study found that combining fluconazole with finasteride, hydroxyzine, and paroxetine resulted in additive effects, enhancing fluconazole's ability to kill C. neoformans and suppress fungal growth more effectively. The research highlights the potential of repurposing benzimidazoles and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors for cryptococcosis treatment, with significant improvements observed in fluconazole's efficacy in vitro.