The first narrow-spectrum antibiotic with success | EurekAlert!

Cambridge, Mass., – The ADA Forsyth Institute, a leading oral health research organization, and Flightpath Biosciences Inc are excited to announce a breakthrough discovery in the fight against severe gingivitis and related systemic diseases. In one study published in His newspaper Oral MicrobiologyADA Forsyth scientists have discovered that FP 100 (Hygromycin A), a first-in-class, small molecule, narrow-spectrum antibiotic, successfully eliminates Fusobacterium nucleatum without harming the microbiomes of the mouth or gut. Fusobacterium is a key pathogen that triggers the onset of periodontitis (gum disease) and its development has been linked to many serious systemic diseases.

FP 100 as an effective treatment for periodontitis

“This type of black-and-white data almost never happens,” said Alpdogan Kantarci, DDS, PhD, a senior scientist at ADA Forsyth who led the study. “The results were so clear. With FP 100, we can eliminate Fusobacterium nucleatum from the oral cavity, they reverse tissue destruction and prevent disease progression without harming the beneficial microbiome.” Lead authors Dr. Nil Yakar Yilmaz and Dr. Ozge Unlu in Dr. Kantarci’s group showed that the drug was both effective in vitro and in a mouse model of periodontal disease. Drs. Lujia Cen, Hatice Hasturk, Tsute Chen, Wenyuan Shi and Xuesong also contributed to this exciting research.

“The findings provide strong evidence that FP 100 could be a game-changer in the treatment of severe gingivitis,” said Matt Tindall, co-founder and CEO of Flightpath Biosciences, Inc., the company sponsoring the study at ADA Forsyth. . “This antibiotic could work to prevent or treat advanced gingivitis.”

Gum disease it affects over 47% of people aged 30 and over, with the prevalence rising to 60% in people aged 65 and over. The last stages of the disease are characterized by progressive destruction of the jaw tissue and may lead to tooth loss. Current treatments focus on slowing the progression of the disease, but most of them are not covered by dental insurance. There is no treatment available.

A new era in antibiotic development

One of the most exciting findings in this study is that the antibiotic is effective at targeting Fusobacteria without harming the beneficial bacteria necessary to maintain human health. Periodontal disease has long been a challenge for effective treatment because antibiotics usually wipe out both harmful and beneficial bacteria.

“Often, the antibiotics that treat this disease will also kill all the bacteria that help prevent the overpopulation of pathogenic microorganisms,” said Dr. Kantarci. “With the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, the ability to kill a dangerous pathogen with a narrow-spectrum antimicrobial drug candidate represents a major paradigm shift in antibiotic development. Eliminating this key pathogen is a very important strategy for disease control.”

Implications for Systemic Health

The potential impact of this antibiotic extends far beyond the mouth, possibly preventing the development of serious chronic diseases, including heart disease, colon and pancreatic cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, premature birth, inflammatory bowel disease gut and rheumatoid arthritis.

“Fusobacterium it’s an insidious pathogen,” Dr. Kantarci said. “Studies show it can travel from the oral cavity to other places, where it colonizes and causes disease. We recently published a study that shows this Fusobacterium they can enter human cells like a Trojan horse and travel undetected to other parts of the body where they colonize and cause disease. Eradicating bacteria early in the oral cavity is also systematic prevention.”

This promising antibiotic candidate, FP 100 (hygromycin A), was rediscovered by a team of researchers led by Kim Lewis, PhD, at Northeastern University, who focused on its ability to target bacterium Borelliella burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease.

Looking Ahead

ADA Forsyth and Flightpath Bio have filed a joint patent application for FP 100. They plan to further explore the antibiotic’s potential in clinical trials and expand its application to other conditions caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum. “We are entering a new frontier in both local and systemic disease prevention,” said Dr. Kantarci. “The ability to selectively target harmful bacteria while preserving the beneficial microbiome opens the door to innovative therapies that could significantly improve patient outcomes.”

Document referred to: “Targeted elimination of Fusobacterium nucleatum relieves periodontitis” Journal of Oral Microbiology. DOI: #10.1080/20002297.2024.2388900

Funding sources: This study was supported by Flightpath Biosciences, Inc., [NIH/NIDCR R01DE030943] (to XH), RF1AG062496 (to AK), TUBITAK [2219-1059B192202291] (to OU), TUBITAK [2214/A- 1059B142200465] (to New York)

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About the ADA Forsyth Institute

The ADA Forsyth Institute founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, but recognizing that the ultimate goal is the prevention of dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world leader in oral health research. In October 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and strengthening the dental profession through basic research cutting edge. creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies and global public health outreach. In keeping with the Institute’s founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.

About Flightpath Biosciences, Inc.

Flightpath Biosciences, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Flightpath Biosciences Australia Pty Ltd, is a clinical-stage life sciences company focused on developing therapeutics for the treatment of serious infectious diseases with high unmet need, such as Lyme disease, periodontal disease and syphilis. The company’s lead drug candidate, FP 100 (Hygromycin A), is a selective, narrow-spectrum antibiotic that limits the potential for adverse effects on the human microbiome. Learn more at: www.flightpath.bio.