Using viruses to treat difficult lung infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus.
Official title: In vivo assessment and optimization of phage PK/PD for the treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11053636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special viruses called bacteriophages can help treat tough lung infections caused by a hard-to-treat bacteria, giving hope to patients who have few options left because of antibiotic resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $764,080 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176834-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053636 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus, particularly those who have not responded to traditional antibiotic therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other types of bacteria or those who do not have underlying lung conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria, as a potential treatment for pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus, a highly drug-resistant bacterium. The study aims to understand how these phages behave in the body over time and their effectiveness in reducing bacterial infection. By using a mouse model, researchers will gather data on how phage therapy can be optimized for better outcomes in treating these challenging infections. This approach could provide a new avenue for patients who have limited treatment options due to antibiotic resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer a novel and effective treatment option for patients suffering from difficult-to-treat lung infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous compassionate use cases have shown promise in using phage therapy for treating NTM infections, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braunstein, Miriam S. — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Braunstein, Miriam S.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.