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Center for Phage Research and Phage Therapy, Regensburg, Germany

Phage Therapy: Information for Patients

The Phage Center Regensburg (PCR) supports the treatment of severe, therapy-resistant bacterial infections using bacteriophages. We assess whether a suitable phage against the respective pathogen is available in our Regensburg Phage Repository, characterise it, and – following strict quality control – provide it within the framework of an individual treatment attempt ("Compassionate Use").

Phage therapy is currently not an approved standard procedure in Germany and is carried out exclusively as an individual treatment attempt in cooperation with the clinicians of the University Hospital Regensburg (UKR) and associated clinics.

The indication for phage therapy must always and without exception be established by the treating clinician and submitted to the Phage Center.

Prerequisites

  • severe or chronic bacterial infection that no longer responds to standard antibiotics (e.g. multidrug-resistant pathogens, biofilm- or implant-associated infections)
  • pathogen identified and available as a bacterial isolate
  • established therapeutic options exhausted or not applicable
  • treatment can be carried out in cooperation with the UKR or an associated clinic
  • patient information and informed consent are provided

Procedure

  1. Initial contact by the treating clinic or physician
  2. Submission of the bacterial isolate and relevant clinical information
  3. Phage matching against the pathogen
  4. If a matching phage is identified: production, purification, characterisation and quality control at the PCR
  5. Provision of the phage preparation within the framework of Compassionate Use
  6. Application and monitoring by the clinic
  7. Documentation and follow-up

Limitations and Risks

  • Experimental procedure without marketing authorisation; efficacy in individual cases not guaranteed
  • No guaranteed match in the repository
  • Possible immune reactions, endotoxin release, development of phage resistance
  • Time requirement: matching, production and quality control  take  up to two months
  • Reimbursement by statutory health insurance is currently not possible

How to Proceed (for Patients)

Please speak with your treating physician. The indication and the request to the Phage Center Regensburg are made exclusively by the treating clinic or physician. Further assessment and treatment are then carried out together with the clinicians of the UKR or associated clinics.

Phage Center Regensburg (PCR), PD Dr. David Peterhoff, Prof. Dr. Dr. André Gessner, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany info@phagecenter-regensburg.de