Antibody-Based Biologics and Their Promise to Combat Staphylococcus aureus Infections

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2016 Mar;37(3):231-241. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2015.11.008. Epub 2015 Dec 22.

Abstract

The growing incidence of serious infections mediated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains poses a significant risk to public health. This risk is exacerbated by a prolonged void in the discovery and development of truly novel antibiotics and the absence of a vaccine. These gaps have created renewed interest in the use of biologics in the prevention and treatment of serious staphylococcal infections. In this review, we focus on efforts towards the discovery and development of antibody-based biologic agents and their potential as clinical agents in the management of serious S. aureus infections. Recent promising data for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting anthrax and Ebola highlight the potential of antibody-based biologics as therapeutic agents for serious infections.

Keywords: MRSA; antibody; biologics; immune evasion; infectious diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Biological Factors / immunology
  • Biological Factors / pharmacology*
  • Biological Factors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / immunology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / immunology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Biological Factors