Background: Patients undergoing remission-induction intensive chemotherapy for acute leukemia are at high risk for life-threatening invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Primary antifungal prophylaxis with posaconazole has been shown to reduce the incidence of IFI compared to fluconazole, but real-life data are limited and the effect on mortality remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared fluconazole and posaconazole as primary prophylaxis in real-life practice over a 10-year period, in a Canadian hospital.

Results: A total of 299 episodes were included (fluconazole, n = 98; posaconazole, n = 201), of which 68% were first inductions. The underlying hematologic malignancy was acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome in 88% of episodes and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 9%. Overall, 20 cases of IFI occurred (aspergillosis, n = 17; candidiasis, n = 3) and 14 were considered as breakthrough IFI. IFI incidence was significantly lower in the posaconazole group (3.5% versus 13.2%; p = 0.001). Empirical or targeted antifungal therapy was also reduced in the posaconazole cohort. Mortality was similar in both groups.

Conclusions: In a real-life setting in Canada, primary posaconazole prophylaxis reduces the incidence of IFI during remission-induction chemotherapy, compared to fluconazole.