title: The development of antimicrobial peptides as new antibacterial drugs.
abstract: The increasing frequency of multidrug-resistant bacteria and a recent slowing in the development of new antimicrobial agents place mankind in a state of emergency with regard to the threat of new bacterial infections. Antibacterial peptides (AMPs) are considered an important class of molecules to develop against bacteria. AMPs have been known for many years but very few have yet been extensively used in clinical practice, mainly because of their general toxicity and manufacturing cost. Now, thanks to new technologies for screening and development, interest in these molecules has grown. Many new AMPs have been discovered and some are under evaluation for the development of new antibacterial therapeutics. Here we review the major AMPs currently used in clinical practice and others in the phase of preclinical and clinical development.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roscia
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Falciani
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bracci
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Italy. alessandro.pini@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010455:Peptides