Bacteriophage Therapy for Difficult-to-treat Infections: the Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Phage Task Force

Launched by UNIVERSITAIRE ZIEKENHUIZEN KU LEUVEN · Apr 10, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The PHAGEFORCE trial is studying a new treatment called bacteriophage therapy for patients with tough infections that haven’t responded to standard treatments like antibiotics or surgery. This therapy uses viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria, making it a potential option for people suffering from conditions such as musculoskeletal infections, chronic rhinosinusitis, sepsis, pulmonary infections, and hidradenitis suppurativa. To participate, patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of one of these infections, have tried all other treatments without success, and have a type of bacteria that can be treated with available phages from a special bank.

Patients in the trial will be part of a carefully monitored process led by a team of experts who will evaluate their condition and decide if phage therapy is appropriate for them. Those who join the study can expect close follow-up to assess how well the treatment is working and to ensure their safety. Importantly, this research aims to gather valuable information about how effective and safe bacteriophage therapy is, which could help develop standardized treatment guidelines for future patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• All patients:
• • Diagnosed with a musculoskeletal infection or chronic rhinosinusitis or sepsis or lung infection (CF/Bx) or hidradenitis suppurativa, and
• • For whom all previous treatments (surgical and antibiotic) have failed or for whom no other treatment options are available (i.e., last resort cases, based on the assessment of the CBL), for example in case of bacterial resistance. And
• • Of whom the pathogen causative for the infection is one for which phages are available in the phage bank, and
• • Who have given informed consent to have their data collected in a patient registry
• Exclusion Criteria:
• All patients:
• • With an infectious disease other than those mentioned above, and/or
• • For whom standard treatment alternatives are still available. And/or
• • Of whom the pathogen causative for the infection is not one for which phages are available in the phage bank. And/or
• • Who refused to give their informed consent