Targeted Therapy for Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens

Abstract

The spectrum of diseases caused by intracellular bacterial pathogens (IBPs) is broad, ranging from life-threatening conditions such as tuberculosis to other infectious-transmitted diseases. Conventional antibiotic treatment faces challenges due to antibiotic resistance, host cell toxicity, and limited drug penetration. Despite the excellent ability of these perilous pathogens to modulate host cell biology, localize in, and multiply through targeting the key virulence factors, cell brings about auspicious maneuvers to combat pathogenic diseases and alleviate their significant global burden. Modulation and identification of molecules, pathways, and responses are the initial steps of targeted therapy, varying from disease to disease. This article explores the cutting-edge advancements in targeted therapy approaches. Innovations such as nanoparticlebased drug delivery systems, phage therapy, immunomodulation, and gene editing, which hold a promising future for overcoming the limitations of traditional treatment, are also discussed. Efficient delivery systems, drug optimizations, and inch-perfect distribution and retention of therapeutic agents are some of the determining factors in the success of targeted therapy for bacterial pathogens. The article also presents a novel application wherein filamentous phages are loaded as targets in nanocarriers for therapeutic purposes. The present challenges faced by the researchers, along with future directions for this field of medical science, are also outlined. Overall, the scope of this article involves the various strategies involved in targeted therapy, drug modulations, and limitations faced in our current approaches.