2019/06/11 by Shayla Hesse, Sankar Adhya · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #Bacteriophages and microbial interactions #Microbial infections and disease research #Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-micro-090817-062535
Burgeoning problems of antimicrobial resistance dictate that new solutions be developed to combat old foes. Use of lytic bacteriophages (phages) for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections is one approach that has gained significant traction in recent years. Fueled by reports of experimental phage therapy cases with very positive patient outcomes, several early-stage clinical trials of therapeutic phage products have been launched in the United States. Eventual licensure enabling widespread access to phages is the goal; however, new paths to regulatory approval and mass-market distribution, distinct from those of small-molecule antibiotics, must be forged first. This review highlights unique aspects related to the clinical use of phages, including advantages to be reaped as well as challenges to be overcome.