Invited Speaker Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Everything old is new again: revisiting bacteriophage to treat antimicrobial resistance; The Phage WA journey (93721)

Anthony Kicic 1 2 3 4
  1. Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
  2. Occupation and the Environment, School of Population and Health , Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
  3. Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital , Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  4. Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Many infections are unable to be treated effectively with conventional antibiotics because the bacteria that cause them have developed mechanisms to avoid their effects called Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). AMR is a WHO global health priority and if not addressed, is projected to account for over 10 million deaths per year in less than 30 years. With little investment into traditional antibiotic discovery, alternative treatments are desperately needed. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect and kill specific bacteria and are an exciting alternative to antibiotics as a treatment strategy. Here in WA, our research team (Phage WA) has collected and characterised thousands of phages specific to AMR bacteria seen in our hospitals including Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter and Burkholderia. Phage WA is part of a national network which has developed a compassionate use (CU) protocol for phage therapy implementation in hospitals (STAMP; Standardised treatment and monitoring protocol for adult and paediatric patients receiving bacteriophage therapy. WA patients suffering from AMR infections will be identified by their medical teams as suitable for CU phage therapy and an isolate of the bacteria causing infection will be screened against existing phages in our library. If suitable phage/phages are identified, patients will be invited to participate in STAMP. CU phage therapy will be given and individuals monitored to assess their killing activity against the bacteria causing the infection as well as monitoring for any potential adverse events.  As part of a wider research platform, Phage WA are designing a number of clinical trials, the the first of which will target AMR P. aeruginosa infections in those with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Non CF Bronchiectasis and deliver phage via nebulization.  Phage WA are also establishing a small-scale manufacturing facility in partnership with Cell and Tissue Therapies WA for the local manufacture of phages. Finally, we are establishing a consultation and engagement framework with local Aboriginal communities around phages, how they are derived off country and their potential to treat infections in local communities. Together, these activities form part of an implementation strategy for a phage therapy translational therapeutic pipeline for those most in need due to AMR.