New Enzyme-Based Therapy Targets Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea

Researchers from the Universities of Liverpool and Oxford have developed an antibody-drug conjugate that successfully killed multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in laboratory tests.

The therapy utilizes the pathogen's own IgA protease enzyme to activate an antimicrobial peptide, which minimizes toxicity to human cells compared to conventional antibiotics.

While the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows promise, the treatment remains in the preclinical phase and requires further safety testing.