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Not yet recruitingNCT07788586CanTENUpdated Sep 1, 2026

Shortening Treatment Duration in Uncomplicated Candidemia: the CanTEN Trial

A Phase 4 interventional study of Caspofungin only within the study and Caspofungin for 3 days within the study in Candidemia and Invasive Candidiasis, sponsored by Oliver Cornely, MD. Not yet recruiting at 24 sites in Germany. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-01.

Sponsored by Oliver Cornely, MD · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
420
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

CanTEN is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive, non-inferiority phase 4 trial investigating a shortened treatment duration in patients with uncomplicated candidemia. Current guidelines recommend a 14-day treatment after documented clearance of candidemia. The traditional 14-day treatment duration for uncomplicated candidemia is not sufficiently evidence-based. In a variety of bacterial infections, shorter treatment has been proven safe and efficacious, thus reducing resistance development, toxicity, and costs.

This study aims to demonstrate the non-inferiority of 10 days (Group B) of treatment compared to 14 days (Group A) in patients with a controlled source of candidemia. Once the primary endpoint have been assessed in 50% of the participants, an unblinded interim analysis will be conducted. If non-inferiority can be demonstrated, Group C will be initiated with a 7-day treatment duration.

The primary endpoint is the rate of recurrent candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37). Secondary endpoints include the time from randomization to recurrent candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis, clinical cure, radiological cure and mycological eradication at the end of study treatment (Day 7) and at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37). In addition, all-cause mortality and mortality attributable to candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis will be measured at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37) . Additional secondary endpoints include candidemia-attributable healthcare resources use at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37), Caspofungin-related adverse events (AEs) occurring until 30 days after last administration of caspofungin and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs; EQ-5D-5L and WHODAS 2.0) on Day 1 and Day 37. As an exploratory endpoint, the study will examine the impact of age, sex, relevant comorbidities, SOFA and qSOFA score, use of vasopressors and Candida species on recurrence of candidemia.

02

Conditions studied

  • Candidemia
  • Invasive Candidiasis
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • 1. Participants ≥18 years on the day of informed consent.
  • 2. Written informed consent by participant, according to applicable guidelines and laws.
  • 3. For female participants of child-bearing potential only: willingness to practice highly effective contraception or abstinence for the duration of the trial, i.e. until 30 days after end of study treatment. Highly effective contraception methods include sterilization, combined estrogen and progestogen-containing hormonal contraception (oral, intravaginal, transdermal), progestogen-only hormonal contraception (oral, injectable, implantable), intrauterine device (IUD), intrauterine hormone-releasing system, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner. In case of nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting, oral contraception cannot be used; a non-oral highly effective method of contraception must be used instead.
  • 4. Treatment with caspofungin for candidemia, initially proven by Candida-positive blood culture.
  • 5. Uncomplicated candidemia defined as follows:
  • a. 7 consecutive days of caspofungin treatment after documented clearance of candidemia, i.e. caspofungin treatment on Day -7 to Day -1 prior to study treatment. Documented clearance of candidemia is defined as first (since diagnosis of candidemia) Candida-negative blood-culture on Day -7 AND no Candida-positive blood cultures from Day -6 to Day -1.
  • b. Treatment is planned for another 7 days, i.e. for the entire duration of study treatment from Day 1 to Day 7. Please note there is no Day 0 in this study. Day -1 is directly followed by Day 1.
  • c. Less than 120 hours between the initial Candida-positive blood culture and the first Candida-negative blood-culture.
  • d. Source control for candidemia as follows:
  • Any central venous access device (e.g., central venous catheter, peripherally inserted central catheters, Shaldon catheters, Hickman and Broviac lines, or implanted port systems) must have been removed/replaced within 48 hours after the start of caspofungin treatment when candidemia was first diagnosed.
  • Any implantable cardiac electronic device, ventricular assist device, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support system, or indwelling intravascular foreign body must have been removed/replaced within 48 hours after the start of caspofungin treatment when candidemia was first diagnosed.
  • Any intraabdominal candidiasis (e.g., intraabdominal abscess, peritonitis) must have been treated successfully within 5 days after start of treatment (caspofungin with or without surgery) when candidemia was first diagnosed.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 1. Any Candida-positive blood culture within 7 days prior to the start of study treatment, i.e. on Day -7 to Day -1.
  • 2. Complicated candidemia defined by any of the following:
  • a. History of candidemia within 3 months prior to the current candidemia episode.
  • b. History or current presence of extra-abdominal deep-seated candidiasis, i.e. central nervous system infection, chorioretinitis, endophthalmitis, intravascular infection, endocarditis, renal abscess, osteomyelitis, or joint infection.
  • c. History of intra-abdominal candidiasis within 3 months prior to the current candidemia episode. Only exception: a very first episode of intra-abdominal candidiasis has been treated successfully within 5 days after the initial diagnosis of the current candidemia episode.
  • d. Candidemia caused by echinocandin-resistant Candida isolate.
  • 3. Hematological malignancy without remission.
  • 4. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation within 1 year prior to screening.
  • 5. Acute graft-versus-host disease grade III or IV.
  • 6. Hypersensitivity to caspofungin or any of the excipients.
  • 7. Ongoing glucocorticosteroids ≥0.3 mg/kg of prednisone equivalent per day at the initial diagnosis of the current candidemia episode with a planned cumulative administration of more than 3 weeks or ongoing administration of more than three weeks.
  • 8. Concomitant rifampin/rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, efavirenz or nevirapine during study participation.
  • 9. Absolute neutrophil count \<0.5 G/L at screening.
  • 10. Absolute neutrophil count \<0.5 G/L of any duration expected during study treatment.
  • 11. Child-Pugh score >9 at screening.
  • 12. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Prior to enrolment, pregnancy must be ruled out by a negative blood pregnancy test for all women of child-bearing potential.
  • 13. Active intravenous illicit drug use.
  • 14. Administration of an investigational drug (i.e. not yet authorized)
  • a. Within 30 days before the first dose of study treatment in this trial OR
  • b. Within five half-lives before the first dose of study treatment in this trial whichever is longer. An investigational drug is defined as a drug not authorized for any indication in the country where this trial is conducted.
  • 15. Previous participation in this trial.
  • 16. Person who is in a relationship of dependence/employment with the Sponsor or the investigator.
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
420 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Group A (7 days of caspofungin on-study)

    Group A ist standard in terms of duration of caspofungin treatment. Study treatment is 7 days of caspofungin. The number of days on caspofungin prior to study treatment and during study treatment thus totals 14 after documented clearance of candidemia, as per SmPC label. The single caspofungin dose is as per SmPC label throughout, according to participant's body weight and administered IV. once daily.

    Drug: Caspofungin only within the study

  • Experimental
    Group B (3 days of caspofungin followed by 4 days placebo on-study)

    Group B is investigational, i.e. off-label in terms of duration of caspofungin treatment. Study treatment is 3 days of caspofungin followed by 4 days of placebo. The number of days on caspofungin prior to study treatment and during study treatment thus totals 10 after documented clearance of candidemia. The single caspofungin dose is as per SmPC label throughout, according to participant's body weight and administered IV once daily.

    Drug: Caspofungin for 3 days within the study · Drug: Placebo for 4 days within the study

  • Experimental
    Group C (7 days of placebo on-study)

    Group C is investigational, i.e. off-label in terms of duration of caspofungin treatment, as there is no caspofungin administered on study. Study treatment is 7 days of placebo. The number of days on caspofungin prior to study treatment thus totals 7 after documented clearance of candidemia, with no caspofungin administered during study treatment. Group C may only be started depending on the results of the interim analysis.

    Drug: Placebo only within the study

Interventions

  • DrugCaspofungin only within the study

    Seven days of caspofungin on-study.

    Also known as: Cancidas

  • DrugCaspofungin for 3 days within the study

    3 days of caspofungin followed by 4 days of placebo.

    Also known as: Cancidas

  • DrugPlacebo only within the study

    Zero days of caspofungin on-study.

  • DrugPlacebo for 4 days within the study

    3 days of caspofungin followed by 4 days of placebo.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Rate of recurrent candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37)

    Time frame: Day 37 of study (end of the study for the individual participant)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time from randomization to recurrent candidemia and/or other proven invasive candidiasis

    Time frame: From enrolment to Day 37 of study

  2. Clinical cure, radiological cure and mycological eradication at end of study treatment (Day 7)

    The outcome is cure "yes/no" as secondary outcome measure. The specifier "clinical", "radiological" and "mycological eradication" is only ancillary information for "cure", each answered with "yes" or "no".

    Time frame: Day 7 of study

  3. Clinical cure, radiological cure and mycological eradication at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37)

    The outcome is cure "yes/no" as secondary outcome measure. The specifier "clinical", "radiological" and "mycological eradication" is only ancillary information for "cure", each answered with "yes" or "no".

    Time frame: Day 37 of study

  4. All-cause mortality at 30 days after end of study treatment (Day 37)

    Time frame: Day 37 of study

  5. Mortality attributable to candidemia and/or other invasive candidiasis at 30 days after end of study treatment, as determined by the DSMB

    Time frame: Day 37 of study

  6. Candidemia-attributable healthcare resources at 30 days after end of study treatment, including length of stay in ICU or IMC or general ward, duration of mechanical ventilation, cost of antifungal therapy since onset of candidemia

    This is a composite outcome that will be analyzed descriptively only.

    Time frame: Day 37 of study

  7. Caspofungin-related adverse events (AEs) occurring until 30 days after last administration of caspofungin.

    Time frame: From enrolment to Day 37 of study

  8. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) on Day 1 and Day 37: Health-related quality of life per EQ-5D-5L + Physical fuctioning as per WHODAS 2.0

    EQ-5D-5L = 5-level EQ-5D version WHODAS 2.0 = WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 EQ-5D-5L and WHODAS 2.0 are questionnaires that will yield point scores without units. Results will be analyzed descriptively as, all analysis will be carried out in accordance with standard of practice.

    Time frame: Day 1 and Day 37 of study

Other outcomes

  1. Impact of age, sex, relevant comorbidities, SOFA and qSOFA score, use of vasopressors and Candida species on recurrence of candidemia

    Exploratory Endpoint SOFA = sequential organ failure assessment qSOFA = quick sequential organ failure assessment Each potentially impacting factor will be analyzed separately.

    Time frame: From enrolment to Day 37 of study

06

Study locations

24 sites
  • Universitätsklinikum Aachen
    Aachen, 52074, Germany
    • Tim-Philipp Simon, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Miriam R. Haverkamp, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Tim-Philipp Simon, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Miriam R. Haverkamp, Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
    Berlin, 10117, Germany
    • Leif Erik Sander, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Leif Erik Sander, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Uniklinik Köln
    Cologne, 50937, Germany
    • Oliver A Cornely, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Oliver A Cornely, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden an der Technischen Universität Dresden
    Dresden, 01307, Germany
    • Katja de With, PD Dr. hum. biol. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Katja de With, PD Dr. hum. biol. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
    Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
    • Hans Martin Orth, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Hans Martin Orth, Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt
    Frankfurt am Main, 60590, Germany
    • Maria Vehreschild, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Maria Vehreschild, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
    Freiburg im Breisgau, 79110, Germany
    • Siegbert Rieg, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Daniel Hornuß, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Siegbert Rieg, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Daniel Hornuß, Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg
    Giessen, 35392, Germany
    • Janina Trauth, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Susanne Herold, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Janina Trauth, Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Susanne Herold, Prof. Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
    Göttingen, 37075, Germany
    • Alexander O König, PD Dr. med · Contact
    • Christoph Ammer-Herrmenau, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Alexander O König, PD Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Christoph Ammer-Herrmenau, Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale)
    Halle, 06120, Germany
    • Daniel Ebert, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Daniel Ebert, Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
    Hamburg, 20246, Germany
    • Stefan Kluge, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Dominik Jarczak, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Stefan Kluge, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Dominik Jarczak, Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Klinikum der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover
    Hanover, 30625, Germany
    • Susanne Simon, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Susanne Simon, Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
    Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
    • Markus A M Weigand, Univ.- Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Susanne Picardi, PD Dr. med. · Contact
    • Markus A M Weigand, Univ.- Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Susanne Picardi, PD Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes
    Homburg (Saar), 66421, Germany
    • Sören L Becker, Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. · Contact
    • Sören L Becker, Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Jena
    Jena, 07747, Germany
    • Oana Joean, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Stefan Hagel, PD Dr. med. · Contact
    • Oana Joean, Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Stefan Hagel, PD Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Leipzig
    Leipzig, 04103, Germany
    • Christoph Lübbert, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Jasmin Tischer, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Christoph Lübbert, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Tischer Jasmin, Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Universitätsklinik Magdeburg A. ö. R. / Medizinische Fakultät der Otto-von Guericke Universität Magdeburg
    Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
    • Achim Kaasch, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Achim Kaasch, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • LMU Klinikum
    München, 81377, Germany
    • Ulrich Seybold, PD Dr. med. · Contact
    • Julia Roider · Contact
    • Ulrich Seybold, PD Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Julia Roider, PD Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Klinikum der Technischen Universität München (TUM Klinikum)
    München, 81675, Germany
    • Tobias Lahmer, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Tobias Lahmer, Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Münster
    Münster, 48149, Germany
    • Jonel Trebicka, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Julia Fischer, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Jonel Trebicka, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Julia Fischer, Dr. med. · Sub investigator
  • Klinikum Oldenburg
    Oldenburg, 26133, Germany
    • Axel Hamprecht, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Axel Hamprecht, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Regensburg
    Regensburg, 93053, Germany
    • Stephan Schmid, Prof Dr. med. · Contact
    • Stephan Schmid, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Ulm
    Ulm, 89081, Germany
    • Beate Grüner, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Beate Grüner, Prof. Dr. med. · Principal investigator
  • Universitätsklinikum Würzburg
    Würzburg, 97080, Germany
    • Nora Isberner, Dr. med. · Contact
    • Andrew Ullmann, Prof. Dr. med. · Contact
    • Nora Isberner, Dr. med. · Principal investigator
    • Andrew Ullmann, Prof. Dr. med. · Sub investigator
07

References and documents

Related links

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — The IPD of all participants who have provided the relevant informed consent will be shared via the German Network of University Medicine (NUM). Access to the data will be governed and facilitated by the dedicated NUM infrastructure, the 'Dynamic Use \& Access Coordination Unit'.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07788586
Lead sponsor
Oliver Cornely, MD
Collaborators
Nationales Referenzzentrum für Invasive Pilzinfektionen (NRZMyk), Deutsche Sepsis-Hilfe e.V., Netzwerk Universitätsmedizin (NUM), University Medical Center Goettingen
Responsible party
Oliver Cornely, MD (Univ.-Prof. Dr. med., University of Cologne) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Aug 26, 2026
Start date
Sep 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Feb 2028 (estimated)
Completion
Feb 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 1, 2026

Study contacts

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Oliver A. Cornely - CanTEN Sponsor Team
Contact
canten-sponsor@uk-koeln.de
+49 221 478 67666

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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