Exploring the Potential of Antisense Technologies to Enhance Traditional Antifungal Treatments for Candida albicans Biofilms

Abstract

Biofilm-related infections present critical challenges in the context of medical implantable devices, often necessitating the removal of these life-saving devices. Among these infections, Candida albicans biofilms are particularly prevalent and are often addressed with Caspofungin, a fungicidal echinocandin. However, prevailing antifungal treatments exhibit limited efficacy against biofilms due to their intricate structure and the emergence of antifungal resistance. The recent advancement of antisense therapy offers a promising avenue to augment the effectiveness of anti-biofilm treatments. Targeting EFG1, a key transcription regulator in C. albicans, anti-EFG1 2′-OMethylRNA can increase membrane permeability while reducing antifungal properties. As such, there could be therapeutic benefits in leveraging anti-EFG1 2′-OMethylRNA to amplify the fungicidal properties of echinocandins. Our study aims to assess the viability of cells subjected to individual and combined treatment modalities. Employing an in vivo benchtop biofilm model, we aim to investigate the efficacy of Caspofungin and anti-EFG1 2′-OMethylRNA, both independently and in combination. By evaluating their impact on biofilm growth, cellular viability, and gene and protein expressions (transcriptome), we seek to ascertain and explore the potential synergistic effects of this combinatorial therapeutic approach. Investigating the combination of antisense and Caspofungin therapy presents a promising direction toward the more effective treatment of biofilm-related infections on medical implantables. Furthermore, the results of this study may present promising opportunities for the future use of antisense technology in more efficacious treatment and novel therapeutic approaches to other illnesses.