Lactoferrin Potent Against Resistant Bacteria

A study has demonstrated that recombinant human lactoferrin (hLF) and related peptides are highly effective in animal models against infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Conducted by researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center (The Netherlands) and Pharming Group N.V. (also in Leiden), the study was published in the March 2001 issue of Infection and Immunity.

It was previously known that hLF is capable of binding to bacteria. Based on this, a group of scientists investigated hLF's bactericidal activity in relation to its molecular structure. The results showed that both hLF and hLF-derived peptides are highly effective against infections with several antibiotic-resistant S aureus strains, including methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant strains and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Pharming has completed a phase I clinical study with intravenously administered recombinant hLF. The results, in healthy volunteers, showed that the recombinant hLF is well tolerated up to very high doses (60 mg/kg), offering an alternative for the treatment of serious infections.



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