Amphotericin B: an antifungal drug in nanoformulations for the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis

The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in drug delivery vehicles must address issues such as drugloading capacity, desired release profile, aqueous dispersion stability, biocompatibility with cells and tissue, and retention of magnetic properties after interaction with macromolecules or modification via chemical reactions. Amphotericin B (AmB) is still the first choice for the treatment of severe paracoccidioidomycosis, an important systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidoides brasiliensis. Unfortunately, AmB causes acute side effects (mainly urinary problems) following intravenous administration, which limits its clinical use. The use of magnetic nanoparticles stabilized with biocompatible substances, together with the possibility of their conjugation with drugs has become a new nanotechnological strategy in the treatment of diseases for drug delivery to specific locations, such as the lungs in paracoccidoidiodomycosis. This review provides an overview of the disease, its etiologic agent and treatment with emphasis on the main strategies to improve the use of AmB in nanoformulations.