Researchers have introduced an innovative technology that can store a full course of antibiotics within a single small dose and administer the precise quantity of medication needed by an individual to combat an infection.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have introduced an innovative technology that can store a full course of antibiotics within a single small dose and administer the precise quantity of medication needed by an individual to combat an infection.
This significant advancement in targeted medication stems from two recent studies that evaluated this drug-delivery approach on two bacterial strains that harm millions globally. Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for meningitis, sepsis, and bacterial pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Gardnerella vaginalis is primarily linked to bacterial vaginosis, resulting in discomfort and pain.
The team from the School of Pharmacy at Waterloo discovered that this personalized nanomedicine, which targets bacteria at the molecular level, allows patients to consume the exact amount necessary to combat the infection while minimizing the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics often lead to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains, posing a worldwide threat known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
“Ideally, patients would take the full dose of antibiotics in one go, alleviating concerns about forgetting doses or needing to take them with food,” explained Dr. Emmanuel Ho, the lead researcher and a professor at Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy. “You can tell the nanomedicine is effective when symptoms of the disease improve.”
This advanced technology utilizes tiny fatty compounds that are undetectable to the naked eye, specifically programmed to release drugs when they’re in the presence of toxins released by particular bacteria.
“Unlike traditional treatments that continuously release medication even when unnecessary, our nanomedicine releases drugs only when necessary, potentially reducing serious side effects linked to excessive dosing,” Ho stated. “By ensuring patients take the full course of their medication, we can also combat AMR. This approach leads to fewer side effects as patients are not overmedicated. Our technology has wide-ranging implications, and this is just the starting point.”
The nanomedicine that the body does not use will decompose naturally inside the body without causing side effects. This property helps regulate medication intake and prevents constant exposure to the drug.
There is a notably high incidence of reinfection when treating Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae with antibiotics. The objective was to create a medication that eliminates the need for patients to take multiple doses to avoid reinfection. Ho aims to apply this technology for the prevention and management of various diseases.
The team is working towards commercializing this nanomedicine. Beyond medical uses, the technology is currently being assessed for potential application in packaging to enhance food shelf life. For instance, applying this technology to processed meat packaging, where the container directly contacts the food, could help keep food fresher for longer. As reported by the United Nations, one billion tons of food were wasted globally in 2022.
