“Bacteriophage Therapy: A Promising Solution to Combat Antibiotic Resistance”

Pharmacy

Antibiotic resistance poses a major threat to global health, complicating the treatment of bacterial infections due to their prevalence, high mortality rates, and associated healthcare costs. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that target and destroy bacteria, offer a promising alternative for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Although bacteriophage therapy was first utilized nearly a century ago, its progress was halted with the advent of antibiotics. Today, with the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, interest in bacteriophage therapy has resurfaced. Given its safety and potent antibacterial effects, certain bacteriophages, such as phiX174 and the Pyo bacteriophage complex liquid, have advanced to phase III clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the critical aspects of the antibiotic resistance crisis and the factors contributing to the renewed interest in bacteriophage applications. We summarize recent cutting-edge research and clinical data on bacteriophage therapy, covering (i) the pharmacological mechanisms and benefits of antibacterial bacteriophages, (ii) clinically relevant bacteriophage preparations and anti-bacterial treatment strategies derived from them, and (iii) bacteriophage therapeutics designed for various infection types and cancer treatments related to infections. Lastly, we address the challenges and key considerations for the future clinical development of bacteriophage therapy.

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