Dual-targeted Auger radiotherapy against multiresistant bacteria

”Because of resistance to antibiotics, there is an urgent need for new treatments for infections. We will develop the experimental concept of Auger-radiotherapy for use against bacteria. Auger radionuclides emit a shower of deadly, short-range electrons, which destroy DNA if sufficiently close to it. This allows us to only kill the targeted bacterium, and not the cells of the patient. We will design and prepare a new, two-step targeting system. First, nanoparticles that accumulate in infected and inflammated sites will carry our radiotherapeutic to its site of action. Second, the radiotherapeutic will be released from its nanocarrier. What is released will be a radiolabeled nucleic acid, that resembles the DNA of bacteria. Bacteria will actively incorporate it into their DNA where it will release its electrons, breaking apart the bacterial DNA and effectively killing it.”