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Current Opinion in Pharmacology
Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2006, Pages 468-472
Anti-infectives/New Technologies
 
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doi:10.1016/j.coph.2006.04.006    How to Cite or Link Using DOI (Opens New Window)
Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Antibacterial peptides for therapeutic use: obstacles and realistic outlook

Alexandra K Marra, William J Gooderhama and Robert EW Hancocka, E-mail The Corresponding Author

aDepartment of Microbiology and immunology and Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, 232–2259 Lower Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Available online 4 August 2006.

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Cationic antimicrobial peptides are produced by almost all species of life as a component of their immediate non-specific defense against infections. The assets of these peptides in clinical application include their potential for broad-spectrum activity, rapid bactericidal activity and low propensity for resistance development, whereas possible disadvantages include their high cost, limited stability (especially when composed of L-amino acids), and unknown toxicology and pharmacokinetics. Initial barriers to their success are being increasingly overcome with the development of stable, more cost-effective and potent broad-spectrum synthetic peptides. Thus, there is hope that they will spawn a new generation of antimicrobials with a broad range of topical and systemic applications against infections.

Article Outline

Introduction
Advantages of peptides over conventional antibiotics
Impediments to therapeutic peptide use
Commercialization and clinical development of antimicrobial peptides
Conclusions
References and recommended reading
Acknowledgements
References

Current Opinion in Pharmacology
Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2006, Pages 468-472
Anti-infectives/New Technologies
 
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