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Formulation, stabilisation and encapsulation of bacteriophage for phage therapy
Danish J Malik1, Ilya J Sokolov1, Gurinder K Vinner1
1Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, UK.
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|July 10, 2017
Summary
Phage therapy, using bacteriophages to treat infections, needs better formulation for stability and efficacy. Encapsulation in micro- and nanoparticles offers promising solutions for reproducible dosing and targeted delivery.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Global rise in antibiotic resistance necessitates alternative antimicrobial strategies.
- Bacteriophage (phage) therapy shows promise, with early clinical trials indicating good safety.
- Current phage preparations lack stability, hindering development as regulated pharmaceuticals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical needs and challenges in phage therapy, focusing on formulation requirements.
- To explore drivers for phage encapsulation, including stability, controlled release, and targeted delivery.
- To document existing and novel approaches for phage formulation and micro/nanoencapsulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal studies on phage therapy efficacy and requirements.
- Analysis of literature on phage formulation, stabilization, and encapsulation techniques.
- Examination of micro- and nanostructured materials for phage delivery systems.
Main Results:
- Phage stability in solution is a major limitation for therapeutic use.
- Formulation is critical for maintaining phage titre, ensuring reproducible dosages, and enhancing efficacy.
- Micro- and nanoencapsulation techniques (e.g., liposomes, nanoparticles) show potential for improved phage delivery.
Conclusions:
- Effective formulation and encapsulation are essential for advancing phage therapy towards regulated pharmaceutical use.
- Novel micro- and nanoencapsulation strategies are key to addressing stability, delivery, and efficacy challenges.
- Further research into advanced encapsulation methods is needed to realize the full potential of phage therapy.
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