Repurposed Heart Medication Targets Hospital Superbug Acinetobacter baumannii

A recent study from Emory University has identified a novel use for fendiline, a heart medication, in combating the increasingly prevalent hospital-acquired superbug, Acinetobacter baumannii. This bacterium is notorious for its resilience against current antibiotics and poses a significant threat to immunocompromised patients, particularly in hospital settings. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on June 10, 2025, underscore the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies in addressing antibiotic-resistant infections.

Acinetobacter baumannii is primarily transmitted in healthcare environments, often affecting patients on ventilators or those with severe soft tissue infections. As stated by Dr. Philip Rather, a professor at Emory University School of Medicine and the corresponding author of the study, "It's critical that we find more and better therapeutics that can target these antibiotic-resistant infections."

The research team utilized an innovative approach to pinpoint vulnerabilities in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They discovered that fendiline acts on a specific lipoprotein trafficking pathway, which is compromised in resistant strains, leading to their destruction. This discovery is particularly significant as it repurposes an existing medication, already approved by the FDA, therefore potentially allowing for expedited clinical trials and applications in treating difficult infections.

Dr. Jennifer Colquhoun, the first author of the study and a research scientist at Emory University, emphasized the study's implications: "This novel finding not only repurposes an existing drug but also reveals a targeted vulnerability in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, paving the way for the development of new antibiotics that exploit similar pathways."

The emergence of antibiotic resistance is a pressing global health challenge, with reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating that such infections could lead to 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if current trends continue. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that antibiotic-resistant pathogens contribute to over 2.8 million infections each year in the United States alone (CDC, 2022).

The findings from Emory University are part of a broader effort to identify alternative therapies as the effectiveness of existing antibiotics wanes. In addition to fendiline, researchers are exploring a range of existing medications and their potential to combat resistant strains by targeting unique bacterial pathways, as outlined in a 2023 study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology by Dr. Maria Santos, a microbiologist at Stanford University.

Internationally, the response to antibiotic resistance has been multifaceted, with the WHO advocating for a One Health approach that encompasses human health, animal health, and environmental health. This strategy aims to reduce the overall burden of antibiotic resistance through coordinated efforts across sectors.

The implications of this research are profound. Should fendiline prove effective in clinical settings, it could alter the landscape of treatment options for hospital-acquired infections, particularly for vulnerable populations. As hospitals continue to grapple with the threat posed by multi-drug resistant organisms, innovative solutions such as the repurposing of existing drugs may provide a crucial lifeline.

In conclusion, the repurposing of fendiline presents a promising avenue in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. As further studies and clinical trials are conducted, the healthcare community remains hopeful for a breakthrough that could significantly improve patient outcomes against this formidable adversary.