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Author Spotlight: Enhancing Candida albicans Detection in Catheter Infections Using Fluorescent Protein Tagging
Published on: March 22, 2024
Anticancer Drugs as Antibiofilm Agents in Candida albicans: Potential Targets
Archana Anandrao Wakharde1, Shivkrupa Devrao Halbandge1, Datta Baburao Phule1
1School of Life Sciences (DST-FIST and UGC-SAP Sponsored) SRTM University (NAAC Accredited with "A" grade), Nanded, Maharashtra, India .
Abstract:
The human pathogen Candida albicans can grow as a biofilm on host tissues and on the surfaces of different prosthetic devices in a patient's body. Various studies have reported that biofilms formed by C. albicans are resistant to most of the currently used antibiotics including the widely prescribed drug, fluconazole. As such, novel strategies for the treatment of drug-resistant biofilms are required. Drug repositioning or the use of drugs outside their unique indication has the potential to radically change drug development. We have tested 16 anticancer drugs for their activities against C. albicans. For the first time, we are reporting repositioning of anticancer drugs as potential antibiofilm agents in C. albicans. Nine categories of drugs with different chemical modes of action effectively inhibited biofilms at a concentration range of 0.25-4 mg/mL, establishing their potential for the inhibition of biofilms. Human genes targeted by these drugs show significant identity with their homologous genes in C. albicans at the amino acid as well as nucleotide levels. This study indicates that anticancer drugs could be potential candidates for repositioning as anti-Candida biofilm agents.
Insights
Anticancer drugs show promise in combating drug-resistant Candida albicans biofilms. This study reveals repositioning these drugs could offer novel treatments for challenging fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Candida albicans forms biofilms resistant to antibiotics like fluconazole.
- Drug-resistant biofilms pose a significant clinical challenge.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibiofilm potential of anticancer drugs against Candida albicans.
- To explore drug repositioning as a strategy for treating resistant fungal infections.
- To identify effective anticancer agents for Candida albicans biofilm inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 16 anticancer drugs for activity against C. albicans biofilms.
- Evaluating biofilm inhibition at concentrations ranging from 0.25-4 mg/mL.
- Analyzing sequence homology between human and C. albicans genes targeted by the drugs.
Main Results:
- Nine categories of anticancer drugs demonstrated significant antibiofilm activity.
- Effective inhibition was observed at low drug concentrations.
- Homology between targeted human and C. albicans genes suggests conserved mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Anticancer drugs can be repositioned as effective anti-Candida biofilm agents.
- Drug repositioning offers a viable strategy to overcome antifungal resistance.
- This research opens new avenues for treating C. albicans biofilm infections.
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