Radioimmunotherapy as a Novel Approach in HIV, Bacterial, and Fungal Infectious Diseases

Abstract

In the past several decades, many antimicrobial agents have been used in treating different fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. However, these agents have faced challenges such as pronounced side-effect profiles and pathogen resistance. In addition, a cure for many chronic infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has not been achieved, and the incidence of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients has increased significantly in the past decades. Therefore, an alternative strategy for combating these infections is needed. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) has been proposed to be a valuable tool in the management of such infections. The side-effects associated with RIT are minimal as the targeted antigens are only expressed on microbial or infected cells. RIT demonstrated impressive potency in eradicating pathogens in animal models and patient samples. Cryptococcus neoformans, HIV, and Bacillus anthracis are few examples of infections for which RIT has been an effective treatment using radionuclides such as bismuth-213 (Bi) or rhenium-188 (Re).

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Three Discipline Collaborative Radiation Therapy (3DCRT) special debate: In the future, at least 20% of NIH funding for radiotherapy research should be allocated to non‐oncologic applications

“…28 There is some evidence that RT may be able to treat some resistant bacterial, fungal, and viral (including HIV) infections. 10,29 However, there has not yet been a concerted push to fund this application of RT. Second, is not the magnitude of patients suffering from these aforementioned conditions already a concern?…”

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