Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Genetic Encoding of a Non-Canonical Amino Acid for the Generation of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Through a Fast Bioorthogonal Reaction
11:02

Genetic Encoding of a Non-Canonical Amino Acid for the Generation of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Through a Fast Bioorthogonal Reaction

Published on: September 14, 2018

7.9K

The Use of Antibody-Antibiotic Conjugates to Fight Bacterial Infections

Marco Cavaco1, Miguel A R B Castanho1, Vera Neves1

  • 1Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|March 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat. Antibody-antibiotic conjugates (AACs) offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics, enabling targeted delivery of potent drugs with fewer side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a significant global healthcare challenge.
  • The development of new antimicrobial agents lags behind the rapid spread of AMR.
  • Current treatment options for AMR are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore antibody-antibiotic conjugates (AACs) as an alternative therapeutic strategy against AMR.
  • To highlight the advantages of AACs in delivering potent antibiotics with enhanced safety profiles.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on antibody-antibiotic conjugates (AACs).
  • Analysis of the components and challenges in AAC development (antibody, antibiotic, linker).
  • Examination of the potential benefits including selectivity, pharmacokinetics (PK), and reduced off-target effects.

Main Results:

  • Antibody-antibiotic conjugates (AACs) leverage antibody specificity for targeted drug delivery.
  • AACs allow for the administration of more potent antibiotics.
  • AACs demonstrate potential for reduced off-target toxicity compared to conventional antibiotics.

Conclusions:

  • Antibody-antibiotic conjugates (AACs) represent a promising bioengineered approach to combatting antimicrobial resistance.
  • Despite development complexities, successful AACs are advancing to clinical studies.
  • AACs offer a viable strategy to overcome the limitations of current AMR treatments.
Keywords:
antibioticantibodyantibody-antibiotic conjugatesbacteriainfectionsresistance

More Related Videos

Initial Evaluation of Antibody-conjugates Modified with Viral-derived Peptides for Increasing Cellular Accumulation and Improving Tumor Targeting11:58

Initial Evaluation of Antibody-conjugates Modified with Viral-derived Peptides for Increasing Cellular Accumulation and Improving Tumor Targeting

Published on: March 8, 2018

7.7K
Quadruple-Checkerboard: A Modification of the Three-Dimensional Checkerboard for Studying Drug Combinations11:15

Quadruple-Checkerboard: A Modification of the Three-Dimensional Checkerboard for Studying Drug Combinations

Published on: July 24, 2021

4.9K

Related Concept Videos

Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
1.4K
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism01:27

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism

Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
5.0K
Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
55.7K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.6K
Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
274
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
278