Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies as Alternative Strategies to Antibiotics to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most critical threats to global public health in the 21st century, causing a large number of deaths every year in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies can be exploited to prevent and treat diseases caused by AMR pathogens, thereby reducing antibiotic use and decreasing selective pressure that favors the emergence of resistant strains. Here, differences in the mechanism of action and resistance of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies compared to antibiotics are discussed. The state of the art for vaccine technologies and monoclonal antibodies are reviewed, with a particular focus on approaches validated in clinical studies. By underscoring the scope and limitations of the different emerging technologies, this review points out the complementary of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies in fighting AMR. Gaps in antigen discovery for some pathogens, as well as challenges associated with the clinical development of these therapies against AMR pathogens, are highlighted.