0
0
As antibiotic resistance continues to pose a global threat, scientists are exploring innovative approaches to combat bacterial infections. A groundbreaking study published in Microbiology Spectrum, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, unveils a promising enzymatic cocktail capable of targeting and killing various species of mycobacteria, including those responsible for tuberculosis (TB). Conducted by researchers from Colorado State University and Endolytix Technologies, the study offers a new avenue for combating drug-resistant mycobacterial infections.
Dr. Jason Holder, the Founder and Chief Science Officer at Endolytix Technology and coauthor of the study, highlights the significance of this biological approach. “We have developed a mycobacterial drug that is biological, not phage therapy, and not small molecule antibiotics,” says Dr. Holder. This enzymatic cocktail presents a novel strategy to address the challenges associated with treating mycobacterial infections, which often require prolonged treatment regimens and are notorious for their resistance to conventional antibiotics.
In the proof-of-principle study, researchers focused on developing a cocktail of enzymes designed to target the cell envelope of mycobacteria. This biological approach aims to disrupt the essential structure of the bacterial cell envelope, thereby rendering the bacteria vulnerable to destruction. By delivering the enzymatic drug inside host macrophages—cells where mycobacteria thrive—the researchers enhanced the efficacy of the treatment.
Laboratory experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the enzymatic cocktail against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTMs), two deadly pulmonary diseases. TB alone claims approximately 1.5 million lives annually worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for innovative treatment options.
Dr. Richard Slayden, a professor at Colorado State University and coauthor of the study, emphasizes the complementary nature of this new therapy with existing standard-of-care drugs. Unlike many conventional anti-mycobacterial drugs, the Endolytix enzymes exhibit fewer drug-drug interactions, potentially reducing toxicities associated with multi-drug regimens.
“We’ve shown we can design and develop biological antibiotics and deliver them to the sites of infection through liposomal encapsulation,” explains Dr. Holder. “This has the potential to reduce the significant toxicities associated with multi-drug regimens that are the standard for mycobacterial infections and hopefully lead to more rapid cures.”
The promising results of this study pave the way for further research and clinical trials, offering hope for improved treatment outcomes in mycobacterial infections. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, innovative approaches such as enzymatic therapies could play a vital role in addressing this pressing global health challenge.
