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Empirical Vancomycin
Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to D-Ala-D-Ala peptidoglycan precursors.
Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to D-Ala-D-Ala peptidoglycan precursors. Used for Empirical treatment of suspected or confirmed gram-positive infections in immunocompromised cancer patients, MRSA infections in cancer patients.
At a glance
| Generic name | Empirical Vancomycin |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
| Drug class | Glycopeptide antibiotic |
| Target | Bacterial peptidoglycan (D-Ala-D-Ala) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease / Oncology (supportive care in cancer patients) |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Vancomycin works by preventing cross-linking of peptidoglycan strands in the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell wall instability and bacterial death. It is particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The term 'empirical' indicates its use as initial broad-spectrum coverage before culture results are available.
Approved indications
- Empirical treatment of suspected or confirmed gram-positive infections in immunocompromised cancer patients
- MRSA infections in cancer patients
Common side effects
- Nephrotoxicity
- Ototoxicity
- Red man syndrome (flushing, pruritus)
- Phlebitis at infusion site
- Fever
- Thrombocytopenia
Key clinical trials
- Early Versus Late Stopping of Antibiotics in Children With Cancer and High-risk Febrile Neutropenia (PHASE4)
- Swab Testing to Optimize Pneumonia Treatment With Empiric Vancomycin (NA)
- Vancomycin and Acute Kidney Injury in Sepsis Treatment - Intervention (PHASE1)
- FMT for Lung and Associated-organ Rescue Efficacy in Pulmonary Infection With MDROs (NA)
- Early Antibiotics After Aspiration in ICU Patients (PHASE4)
- Continuous vs. Intermittent Infusion Vancomycin (PHASE4)
- Efficacy of Empirical Anti-Infective Therapy in Neutropenic Febrile Patients.
- Reducing Empiric VAncomycin Use in Pediatric Suspected Sepsis (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Empirical Vancomycin CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Empirical Vancomycin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center portfolio CI