Immune Responses to Phage Therapy in Humans: A Review

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Phages (bacteriophages) are viruses that infect bacteria and are abundant in the human microbiome.
• Research into the immune system's interaction with phages, especially therapeutic phages, is limited.
• The human gut microbiome contains a vast collection of phages, termed the phageome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review mammalian immune responses to phages, focusing on human responses to therapeutic phages.
• To explore the implications of these immune responses for phage therapy outcomes.
• To highlight the need for better understanding to advance personalized phage therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on phage immunology and phage therapy.
• Analysis of immune system components involved in phage clearance in vivo.
• Examination of factors influencing immune responses to phages.

Main Results:

• The immune system plays a key role in clearing phages within the body.
• Patient-specific factors, treatment details, and phage characteristics impact immune responses.
• Immune responses significantly affect phage pharmacokinetics during therapy.

Conclusions:

• A deeper understanding of human immune responses to phages is essential for successful phage therapy.
• Personalized phage therapy development requires knowledge of host-phage immunological interactions.
• Addressing antimicrobial resistance necessitates advancements in phage therapy informed by immunology.