Researchers have found that nano-tech augmentations can massively increase the effectiveness of cystic fibrosis drugs. 

Research at the University of South Australia shows that a biomimetic nanostructured material to augment the drug Tobramycin can improve the effectiveness of the antibiotic by up to 100,000-fold.

In Australia, cystic fibrosis (CF) affects one in 2500 babies – or one baby born every four days – causing severe impairments to a person’s lungs, airways and digestive system, trapping bacteria and leading to recurrent infections. Lung failure is the major cause of death for people with CF.

“CF is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent, chronic lung infections and limits a person’s ability to breathe,” says UniSA PhD candidate, Chelsea Thorn.

“The disease causes thick, sticky mucus to clog a person’s airways, attracting germs and bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which leads to recurring infections and blockages.

“Tobramycin is commonly used to treat these infections but increasingly antibiotics are failing to make any significant difference to lung infections, leaving sufferers requiring life-long antibiotic therapy administered every month.”

She was part of a team that was able to successfully treat advanced human cell culture lung infections using nano-enhanced Tobramycin and showed it can eradicate serious and persistent infections after only two doses.

“This could be a real game-changer for people living with CF,” the researcher said.

Tobramycin was enhanced with a lipid liquid crystal nanoparticle (LCNP)-based material, and tested it on a new lung infection model to showcase its unique ability to penetrate the dense surface of the bacteria and kill the infection.

“Tobramycin works by inhibiting the synthesis of bacteria and causing cell membrane damage. Yet, as it’s a concentration-dependent antibiotic, achieving a sufficiently high concentration is critical,” says researcher Dr Nicky Thomas.

“Our technology improves the performance of Tobramycin without increasing the toxicity of the drug, so what we’re doing is a far more effective and efficient treatment for chronic lung infections.”

The findings have been published across two papers, accessible here and here.