Inhalable Polymeric Microparticles for Phage and Photothermal Synergistic Therapy of Methicillin-Resistant...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Infectious Diseases
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Acute methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia poses significant health risks due to increasing antibiotic resistance and pathogen virulence.
• Existing treatments for MRSA pneumonia face challenges related to antibiotic resistance, toxicity, and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative, stable, and inhalable drug delivery system for treating acute MRSA pneumonia.
• To explore the synergistic potential of combining phage therapy with photothermal therapy for enhanced antibacterial activity.

Main Methods:

• Development of porous microspheres from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) loaded with heat-resistant, indocyanine green (ICG)-modified phages.
• Formulation designed for deep lung delivery, evading rapid clearance by alveolar macrophages.
• Evaluation of the combined phage and photothermal therapy for bactericidal effects in MRSA pneumonia models.

Main Results:

• The developed dry powder inhalable formulation demonstrated long-term stability at room temperature.
• The formulation successfully delivered therapeutic doses of active phages to deep lung infection sites.
• Synergistic treatment with phage and photothermal therapy exhibited potent bactericidal effects against MRSA pneumonia.

Conclusions:

• The novel inhalable formulation offers a promising strategy for MRSA pneumonia treatment.
• The combination of phage therapy and photothermal therapy presents a potent approach to combatting MRSA infections.
• This formulation has potential for clinical application in treating MRSA pneumonia due to its stability and targeted delivery capabilities.