Phage Therapy: Clinical Applications, Efficacy, and Implementation Hurdles

Abstract

The increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has brought back attention to phages with the need to determine their efficacy and possible use in treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Over the years, there has been a gradual uptick in the integration of phages for treatment, although primarily centered around compassionate usage. Despite the recognition of phage’s capacity to counter bacterial infections over a century ago, utilizing with this therapy has encountered numerous impediments. Currently, the efficacy of phages finds validation in numerous favorable case studies centered on individual patients. Nonetheless, a necessity exists for conducting clinical trials and streamlining the research and development procedures to ease the assimilation of these experimental treatments into a widely accepted adjunct to antibiotics. Integrating bacteriophage therapy into standard clinical practice will necessitate substantial, dedicated investments from research institutions and healthcare establishments, demanding collaboration with the international scientific and medical communities. This endeavor should encompass consensus among regulatory agencies and an adaptable perspective that evolves alongside our deepening understanding of the nuances of this promising therapeutic approach.