4 Dec, 2025.
The IN-ARMOR research team is pleased to announce the publication of its review article entitled “Host-directed therapies modulating innate immunity against infection in hematologic malignancies” in Elsevier’s Blood Reviews journal. This work, co-authored by key researchers from the consortium, including the University of Iceland, Akthelia Pharmaceuticals and the Karolinska Institutet, highlights the crucial role of host-directed therapy (HDT) as an innovative strategy to combat infections in patients with haematological malignancies (HM).
Patients with haematological malignancies (HM) are highly vulnerable to bloodstream infections (BSI), especially those undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy. Among the most common and debilitating adverse effects of chemotherapy are oral and intestinal mucositis. These lesions in the mucosal barrier significantly increase the risk of sepsis, a complication that raises mortality in this group of patients. Although conventional antibiotics are effective, their prolonged use promotes the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and alters the intestinal microbiota, leading to dysbiosis.
This review proposes the use of host defence peptides (HDPs), essential components of innate immunity, together with immune system inducers (ISIs), as a strategy to preserve the integrity of the mucosal barrier against infection. This approach, which has yet to be fully explored within host-directed therapies (HDTs), could contribute to the prevention of both BSI and sepsis. Finally, the need to identify safe and effective ISIs for clinical application is emphasised, as well as the need to further investigate the mechanisms by which these agents stimulate the production of HDPs and reinforce mucosal barriers.
You can read the full review article at this link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268960X24000882
This publication represents a significant step forward for the IN-ARMOR consortium in advancing the development of an innovative therapeutic platform that counteracts antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by strengthening the body’s natural defenses.
