January 9, 2014 – This is a world first: clinical trials on bacteriophages, conducted in seven hospitals in France, Belgium and Switzerland, will begin next fall. Bacteriophage viruses, simply called phages, destroy multidrug-resistant bacteria. Many specialists and doctors are fighting to reintroduce phage therapy in Western countries since they see it as an effective way to help patients at a therapeutic standstill.
Phage therapy, what is it?
Phage therapy uses bacteriophages, viruses present everywhere in our environment and in particular in soil and sewage, to fight and treat certain infectious diseases of bacterial origin. Once attached to the outer envelope of the bacteria, phages will pierce its cell wall and inject their genetic material. They will then reproduce inside their host causing its death.
Widely used in Eastern countries like Russia and especially Georgia, this phage therapy is now banned in France. However, before the arrival of antibiotics in the United States and Europe in the 1940s, phage therapy was tolerated and widely used. However, it was gradually abandoned in favor of antibiotic therapy.
The Phagoburn project
Launched on June 1, the European collaborative project Phagoburn is studying the therapeutic use of bacteriophages to treat skin infections in burn patients. The project, funded by the 7th Framework Program for Research and Development, also benefits from European support of nearly 3.8 million euros. Phagoburn is coordinated by the Army Health Service in collaboration with the SMEs Pherecydes Pharma and Clean Cells which will develop and produce cocktails of bacteriophages.
Doctor Jérôme Larché, founder and president of the Phagespoirs association, which advocates the research and use of bacteriophages, spoke on the subject: “This study aims to consider the effects of bacteriophages. The first results are expected within two years. Our Phagespoirs association will chair the ethics committee […] More than 60 patient files wishing to benefit from phage therapy have been compiled. However, the treatment is still not authorized in France. It has been in Poland, Georgia, for decades. We are asking that bacteriophagy be authorized for these patients with a therapeutic impasse. Do not give the green light, it is a waste of opportunity for patients very detrimental. It is a mistake not to do so. “
These clinical trials will be conducted in hospitals dedicated to the care of major burns in France, Belgium and Switzerland from this fall.
Adeline Demarquois – PasseportSanté.net
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