Current challenges and future opportunities of phage therapy

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Bacteriophage Therapy
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance poses a critical global health threat, necessitating novel antibacterial approaches.
• Bacteriophages (phages), natural bacterial predators, are gaining renewed interest as a potential therapeutic strategy.
• Significant advancements have been made in phage therapy research in recent years.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status and future prospects of phage therapy in combating antibiotic resistance.
• To analyze outcomes from human phage therapy clinical trials and case reports.
• To identify and discuss barriers to the clinical implementation of phage therapy.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of existing literature on human phage therapy clinical trials.
• Analysis of case reports detailing the application of phage therapy.
• Evaluation of challenges and potential limitations, including phage resistance.

Main Results:

• Phage therapy has demonstrated potential in clinical settings, with various trials and reports showing promise.
• Key barriers to widespread clinical use include regulatory hurdles, manufacturing consistency, and the development of phage resistance.
• Phage resistance can emerge, potentially limiting therapeutic efficacy and requiring strategic management.

Conclusions:

• Phage therapy represents a viable alternative or adjunct to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.
• Addressing challenges such as phage resistance and optimizing clinical protocols are crucial for realizing the full potential of phage therapy.
• Further research and development are needed to establish phage therapy as a standard clinical practice.