Intro:
In late 2022, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital shared their development of a robust, computer-program-generated library of antibiotics used to identify effective antibiotics for targeted use in a bone cement matrix. As around 700,000 people die yearly due to antibiotic resistance, their new approach to this growing global issue may be used to treat bone infections and help decrease future bacterial resistance.
Bone Cement:
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is commonly referred to as ‘bone cement.’ However, unlike the name implies, bone cement is not used as an adhesive—rather it acts as a space-filler. It is used to fill in any gaps that may remain between a prosthetic and the actual bone. This is essential for the even transfer of the load from the implant to the bone, allowing for more important functions such as absorbing shock. Despite the positive impact PMMA has had on the lives of many, there is still a chance for an infection to develop after total joint replacement. Periprosthetic joint infection is rare but coupled with the increasing demand of operating on older patients, the chances for this infection are also increasing. Furthermore, high drug concentrations of antibiotics used to prevent infection in the tissues may result in antibiotic resistance. The trend to operate on older patients along with the spread of antibiotic resistance means that a solution to this issue is desperately necessary.
Novel Antibiotic Bone Cement:
The specific issue the researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital are trying to improve is the use of systemic antibiotics for targeting infections, as it is not effective and dangerous when resistance is developed. Currently, the FDA has only approved of bone cement with antibiotics not originally developed for bone tissue. However, the new development would offer bone cement with tissue-specific, localized treatment. This means that the use of antibiotics would be kept to a minimum, lessening the chance of resistance being developed. Co-director, Shiladitya Sengupta, believes that the future of antibiotics is in the use of a mixture of artificial intelligence and drug discovery to create more effective, affordable solutions to global issues. Her team’s novel application of AI technology to find molecules and optimize antibiotic design was a huge success, leading many to believe that her predictions are in the right place. Although bacteria may be getting more sophisticated, many researchers are working hard to make sure our treatments are up to the fight.
Jackson, Christina. “Novel Antibiotic Cement May Help Treat Bone Infections.” GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, 14 Oct. 2022, https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/novel-antibiotic-cement-may-help-treat-bone-infections/.
Press Releases. 13 Oct. 2022, https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/newsroom/press-releases-detail?id=4272.
Reidenbach, Faith. “Novel Antibiotic in Bone Cement Implant Is Broadly Antimicrobial.” Brigham On a Mission, 15 Dec. 2022, https://www.brighamhealthonamission.org/2022/12/15/novel-antibiotic-in-standard-bone-cement-implant-is-broadly-antimicrobial/.
“Science of Bone Cement.” News, 1 Aug. 2005, https://www.healio.com/news/orthopedics/20120331/science-of-bone-cement.
Comments