Harnessing Bacteriophages and Phage-Engineered Products for Antibacterial and Anticancer Therapies: Challenges and Opportunities

Bacteriophages, nature's microscopic and most abundant biological entities, have been extensively studied for their potential in combating bacterial infectious diseases and anticancer applications. The urgency to find alternatives to antibiotics, due to the increasing figures of antibiotic resistance, is accelerating efforts to harness and explore these bio-nanoparticles. Recent advances in phage-virus hybrids, as well as phage protein engineering (e.g., capsid, tail, peptide, or enzyme), have broadened their applications to various industrial uses.

Despite these advancements, significant gaps remain in understanding the full potential and limitations of bacteriophages, particularly in clinical settings. Ongoing debates focus on the efficacy, safety, and regulatory challenges of phage therapy. There is a pressing need for more comprehensive investigations to address these issues and to explore the untapped potential of phage-engineered products in both antibacterial and anticancer therapies.

This research topic aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the bacteriophages’ potential, the challenges, and implications for revolutionizing the landscape of antibacterial and anticancer applications, with a strong emphasis on both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. The goal is to disseminate cutting-edge research on antibacterial and anticancer therapies, stimulate discussion, and advance our understanding of bacteriophages and phage-engineered products in clinical microbiology.

Specific questions to be addressed include the mechanisms of phage action against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the potential for phage-based cancer therapies, and the development of phage-engineered products for medical applications.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of bacteriophage research, we welcome original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and methods addressing, but not limited to, the following sub-themes:

- Targeted Therapeutic Applications of Bacteriophages Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Strains
- Engineering Bacteriophages for Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy: A Molecular Approach
- Exploring Bacteriophage-Derived Products for Antibacterial Coatings in Medical Devices
- Phage-Based Approaches for Combating Biofilm-Associated Antibiotic Resistance
- Bacteriophages as Precision Medicine: Tailoring Therapies for Antibiotic-Resistant Infections
- Phage-Engineered Nanoparticles for Targeted Antibacterial Drug Delivery
- Bacteriophages in Cancer Therapy: Selective Targeting of Tumor-Associated Bacteria
- Phage-Induced Modulation of Tumor Microenvironment for Enhanced Anticancer Effects
- Development of Bacteriophage-Loaded Hydrogels for Localized Antibacterial and Anticancer Treatment
- Genetic Engineering of Bacteriophages for Synergistic Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity
- Bacteriophage-Mediated Immunomodulation in Anticancer Therapy
- Phage-Engineered Antibacterial and Anticancer Vaccines: A Dual-Action Strategy
- Bacteriophage-Mimicking Nanoparticles for Antibacterial and Anticancer Applications
- Combinatorial Approaches: Integrating Bacteriophages with Conventional Antibiotics in Anticancer Treatment
- Bacteriophage-Targeted Therapy for Simultaneous Antibacterial and Anticancer Effects

Keywords: Bacteriophage Therapy (In-vitro and In-vivo), Phage Engineered Products, Endolysins and Depolymerases, Industrial Applications (Vaccines-Aquaculture-Bio-Pharmaceuticals), Clinical Applications for Antibiotic Resistance and Cancer, Antibioflim

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.