Case commentary: The need for cefiderocol is clear, but are the supporting clinical data?

Abstract

Cefiderocol is a newly approved siderophore cephalosporin that demonstrates expanded in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In two challenging cases reported here, cefiderocol shows potential utility as salvage therapy against difficult-to-treat pathogens with limited or no treatment options; however, two multicenter, randomized clinical trials have yielded mixed results among cefiderocol-treated patients. Taken together, clinicians must balance a clear need for cefiderocol in clinical practice with the uncertainties that have stemmed from the available data.