A Repurposed Heart Drug Offers New Hope in the Fight Against Untreatable Infections
Over 5.7 million people died in 2019 due to antibiotic-resistant infections – more than HIV, influenza, and malaria combined. This escalating crisis demands innovative solutions, and a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences offers a surprisingly promising one: an existing drug, previously used to treat heart arrhythmias, can selectively kill a particularly dangerous, drug-resistant bacterium. This isn’t just a scientific breakthrough; it’s a potential lifeline for patients facing infections with limited treatment options.
The Threat of Acinetobacter baumannii
The focus of this research is Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacterium notorious for its resilience and prevalence in hospital settings. Often impacting individuals with weakened immune systems, those on ventilators, or suffering from severe wounds, A. baumannii has developed resistance to nearly all available antibiotics. This leaves clinicians with few, if any, effective tools to combat infection, leading to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and tragically, higher mortality rates. The rise of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, in particular, is a major concern globally.
A Novel Approach: Targeting Bacterial Weaknesses
Researchers at Emory University took a different tack than traditional antibiotic development. Instead of trying to create new drugs to kill bacteria directly, they focused on identifying vulnerabilities specific to antibiotic-resistant strains. Their strategy involved pinpointing weaknesses in the bacterial processes that become exaggerated when bacteria evolve resistance. This led them to the lipoprotein trafficking pathway – a system essential for bacterial survival, but demonstrably weakened in resistant A. baumannii.
Fendiline: From Heart Health to Bacterial Warfare
Enter fendiline, a calcium channel blocker previously used to manage heart rhythm problems. The Emory team discovered that fendiline effectively disrupts the lipoprotein trafficking pathway in resistant A. baumannii, leading to bacterial death. Crucially, fendiline appears to spare healthy bacteria in the gut, minimizing disruption to the body’s natural microbiome – a significant advantage over broad-spectrum antibiotics. This selective targeting is a key element of the drug’s potential.
Fast-Tracking a Solution: The Promise of Repurposing
The beauty of this discovery lies in the fact that fendiline is already FDA-approved for human use. This drastically shortens the timeline for potential clinical application. Unlike developing a new antibiotic from scratch – a process that can take over a decade and billions of dollars – repurposing an existing drug allows for a faster path to clinical trials and, potentially, widespread use. “It’s critical that we find more and better therapeutics that can target these antibiotic-resistant infections,” explains Philip Rather, professor at Emory University School of Medicine and corresponding author on the study.
Beyond Fendiline: A New Paradigm for Antibiotic Development?
This research isn’t just about fendiline; it’s about a new approach to combating antibiotic resistance. By focusing on bacterial vulnerabilities exposed by resistance mechanisms, scientists can potentially repurpose a wide range of existing drugs. This strategy could significantly accelerate the development of new treatments and provide a much-needed boost in the fight against superbugs. The team’s work opens doors for developing new antibiotics targeting similar pathways, offering a more sustainable solution than constantly chasing new antibiotics to overcome evolving resistance.
The implications extend beyond hospital-acquired infections. As antibiotic resistance continues to spread, impacting everything from common urinary tract infections to life-threatening pneumonia, innovative strategies like this will be essential. The future of infectious disease treatment may well depend on our ability to outsmart bacteria, not just overpower them.
What are your thoughts on the potential of drug repurposing in tackling antibiotic resistance? Share your insights in the comments below!
