BACKGROUND
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are becoming an increasing public health concern, particularly for individuals with chronic lung conditions, those who are immunosuppressed, or people exposed to contaminated water sources. Unlike tuberculosis, which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, NTM includes over 190 species, many of which can lead to severe pulmonary diseases.
Standard treatment options for NTM infections involve prolonged courses of antibiotics, typically lasting between 12 to 18 months. However, these treatments often exhibit limited effectiveness and high rates of treatment failure. Furthermore, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant NTM strains has made managing these infections even more challenging, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies.
Current antibiotics, such as macrolides and aminoglycosides, often have inconsistent success rates, require complex multidrug regimens, and can lead to serious side effects. The lack of targeted and highly effective treatments emphasizes the urgent need for new classes of antimicrobials that can effectively combat NTM infections. A novel antibiotic approach that successfully eradicates these resilient pathogens while minimizing toxicity and the development of resistance could significantly improve the treatment landscape for patients suffering from chronic and recurrent NTM infections.
SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY
Researchers at OSU have discovered a new type of antibiotic derived from natural compounds known as anthraquinone derivatives. This antibiotic is effective against serious lung infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which are typically challenging to treat with current antibiotics and often require lengthy and complicated treatment regimens. The newly identified compounds, Tetrangomycin and Physcione, have demonstrated a strong ability to kill these bacteria in laboratory tests as well as within immune cells. Notably, one of these compounds shows improved effectiveness when combined with existing antibiotics, providing a promising new option for treating these difficult infections more efficiently and potentially with fewer side effects.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF APPLICATION
- New antibiotic research for mycobacterial infections, including non-tuberculous mycobacterial pathogens and tuberculosis.
- Development of new and more effective antibiotic-based therapies against NTM infections.
MAIN ADVANTAGES
- Anthraquinone derivatives are potent against NTM pathogens, which often resist current antibiotics, providing new treatment options for difficult resistant infections.
- Physcione (Cpd#3) enhances the effectiveness of clarithromycin, improving treatment outcomes and potentially shortening therapy duration.
- These compounds effectively target bacteria in both cultures and human immune cells, overcoming a challenge faced by current treatments.
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT