Work

Microbiome-selective DNA Pol IIIC inhibitors in oncology infection management

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Oncology patients experience high rates of bacterial infection due to chemotherapy-associated mucosal injury and immunosuppression, with up to 60% developing infectious complications and 20–30% of hematopoietic transplant recipients requiring hospitalization. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, although essential, frequently induce gut microbiome dysbiosis, which is associated with recurrent infection and reduced immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) effectiveness. Meta-analyses indicate that antibiotic exposure near ICI initiation leads to a 30–50% decrease in overall survival and a 25–40% reduction in progression-free survival. DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitor antibiotics, including ibezapolstat, have demonstrated 88–96% clinical cure rates in Clostridioides difficile infection while preserving gut microbial diversity and limiting expansion of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. Recent conference data suggest these microbiome-sparing effects may be class-wide. This targeted antimicrobial mechanism offers a potential strategy to maintain immune function, reduce recurrent infection, and support anticancer treatment response in immunocompromised patients.

Source: Annals of Medicine and Surgery

DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000004423

Authors: Muhammad Shahid Mehmood, Maryam Abid, Naseeb Danaf

Institutions: University of Agriculture Faisalabad, King Edward Medical University, Lebanese University

Language: English

Topic: Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,850