10/24/2025
Summary of the evidence of CEFTOBIPROLE specifically to treat MRSA pneumonia.
Source: Gnoni, Martin. MD
Ceftobiprole is a fifth-generation cephalosporin with potent activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and is approved in both the United States and Europe for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and in Europe - Canada for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).[1-2]
Randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have demonstrated that ceftobiprole is non-inferior to standard regimens (e.g., ceftriaxone ± linezolid for CAP, ceftazidime plus linezolid for HAP) in terms of clinical cure rates, including in cases caused by MRSA.[2-4] In a pivotal phase 3 trial for HAP (excluding VAP), ceftobiprole achieved clinical cure rates comparable to ceftazidime plus linezolid (ITT: 59.6% vs 58.8%; CE: 77.8% vs 76.2%), with similar microbiological eradication rates for MRSA (doi:10.1093/cid/ciu219).[4] However, ceftobiprole was less effective in VAP patients.
In vitro studies confirm ceftobiprole’s high activity against MRSA isolates from pneumonia cases in the US and Europe, with susceptibility rates exceeding 95%.[5-7] For example, a US surveillance study found 99.3% of MRSA isolates susceptible to ceftobiprole (MIC50/90, 1/2 mg/L) (doi:10.1128/aac.01402-24), and an Italian survey reported 95.5% susceptibility among MRSA from HAP (doi:10.1093/jac/dkz371).[5][7]
Ceftobiprole’s broad spectrum and favorable safety profile make it a valuable option for empiric and targeted therapy of MRSA pneumonia, especially in settings with multidrug-resistant organisms.[8-11] It is recommended for CAP and HAP (excluding VAP). Still, caution is advised in cases with high risk for ESBL-producing organisms or MDR Pseudomonas, where combination therapy may be needed (doi:10.1080/14787210.2025.2461552).[11]
In summary, ceftobiprole is supported by robust clinical and microbiological evidence for the treatment of MRSA pneumonia in both the US and Europe, with efficacy and safety comparable to standard therapies, except in VAP.[2-4][7]
Reference: Summary of the evidence of CEFTOBIPROLE specifically to treat MRSA pneumonia. 🤔
Ceftobiprole is a fifth-generation cephalosporin with potent activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and is approved in both the United States and Europe for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and in Europe - Canada for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).[1-2]
Randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have demonstrated that ceftobiprole is non-inferior to standard regimens (e.g., ceftriaxone ± linezolid for CAP, ceftazidime plus linezolid for HAP) in terms of clinical cure rates, including in cases caused by MRSA.[2-4] In a pivotal phase 3 trial for HAP (excluding VAP), ceftobiprole achieved clinical cure rates comparable to ceftazidime plus linezolid (ITT: 59.6% vs 58.8%; CE: 77.8% vs 76.2%), with similar microbiological eradication rates for MRSA (doi:10.1093/cid/ciu219).[4] However, ceftobiprole was less effective in VAP patients.
In vitro studies confirm ceftobiprole’s high activity against MRSA isolates from pneumonia cases in the US and Europe, with susceptibility rates exceeding 95%.[5-7] For example, a US surveillance study found 99.3% of MRSA isolates susceptible to ceftobiprole (MIC50/90, 1/2 mg/L) (doi:10.1128/aac.01402-24), and an Italian survey reported 95.5% susceptibility among MRSA from HAP (doi:10.1093/jac/dkz371).[5][7]
Ceftobiprole’s broad spectrum and favorable safety profile make it a valuable option for empiric and targeted therapy of MRSA pneumonia, especially in settings with multidrug-resistant organisms.[8-11] It is recommended for CAP and HAP (excluding VAP). Still, caution is advised in cases with high risk for ESBL-producing organisms or MDR Pseudomonas, where combination therapy may be needed (doi:10.1080/14787210.2025.2461552).[11]
In summary, ceftobiprole is supported by robust clinical and microbiological evidence for the treatment of MRSA pneumonia in both the US and Europe, with efficacy and safety comparable to standard therapies, except in VAP.[2-4][7]
Gentile, I., Giuliano, S., Corcione, S., De Rosa, F. G., Falcone, M., Giacobbe, D. R., … Bassetti, M. (2025). Current role of ceftobiprole in the treatment of hospital-acquired and community-acquired pneumonia: expert opinion based on literature and real-life experiences. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 23(2–4), 217–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2025.2461552
