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Published on: March 20, 2016
Targeted filamentous bacteriophages as therapeutic agents
1Tel Aviv University, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Green Building, Room 202, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|March 6, 2008
Summary
Genetic and chemical engineering advances enable filamentous bacteriophages (phages) for therapeutic uses, including in vivo imaging, gene delivery, and drug delivery. Combining these methods may lead to clinical phage-based therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Microbiology
Background:
- Bacteriophages (phages) have diverse applications, including bacterial infection therapy, genetic research, protein discovery, and vaccine development.
- Filamentous bacteriophages are particularly amenable to genetic and chemical engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in genetic and chemical engineering of filamentous bacteriophages for therapeutic applications.
- To highlight phage applications in in vivo imaging, gene delivery, and drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies utilizing genetically and chemically engineered filamentous bacteriophages.
- Analysis of phage display for target specificity.
- Examination of phage genome modification for gene delivery.
- Assessment of chemical conjugation for drug and imaging agent delivery.
Main Results:
- Engineered phages exhibit target specificity through displayed peptides or proteins.
- Phages can carry genetic material for gene therapy or be loaded with drugs/imaging agents.
- Demonstrated applications include in vivo imaging, gene delivery vehicles, and drug carriers.
Conclusions:
- Genetic and chemical engineering have significantly expanded therapeutic possibilities for filamentous bacteriophages.
- Combining phage display, gene delivery, and drug conjugation strategies holds promise for clinical translation.
- Phage-based therapeutics represent a developing field with potential for treating bacterial infections and other diseases.
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