# Significant Activity of Pytren-2Q, a 2‑Quinoline Polyamine Compound, against High-Concern Human Pathogenic Fungi

## TL;DR

This study identifies Pytren-2Q, a new compound, as a promising antifungal agent effective against dangerous fungi, including drug-resistant strains.

## Contribution

The discovery of Pytren-2Q's strong antifungal activity against high-concern pathogens, including azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus.

## Key findings

- Pytren-2Q shows strong in vitro antifungal activity against 23 fungal pathogens, including WHO priority molds.
- The compound is particularly effective against azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus.
- Pytren-2Q has low toxicity, good water solubility, and is easy to produce.

## Abstract

In view of the worldwide
expansion of life-threatening invasive
fungal diseases (IFDs) and fungal drug resistance, new antifungal
drugs are urgently needed. To guide research and public health policies,
the World Health Organization (WHO) specified 19 priority-concern
human mold and yeast pathogens associated with serious risk of mortality
or morbidity. We assessed the in vitro susceptibility
of twenty-three fungal pathogens, 13 of them included in the WHO priority
concern list, to a set of 24 polyamine derivatives generated by linking
either alkylated ethylenediamine or a polyamine macrocycle to heterocycles,
such as pyridine or quinoline, or polycyclic aromatic compounds, such
as anthracene, pyrene, or fluorene. Here we report strong in vitro antifungal activity of a compound generated by
linking 2-quinoline to a pyridinophane macrocycle (Pytren-2Q). Pytren-2Q
was particularly active against pathogenic molds including WHO critical
priority wild-type and azole-resistant Aspergillus
fumigatus. These results, in addition to low toxicity,
water solubility, and ease of production of Pytren-2Q, suggest that
this compound could be of therapeutic interest and may be worth future
investigation and validation.