Host-directed therapies (HDTs) are therapeutic strategies that aim to modulate the host's immune system or cellular machinery to combat infectious diseases, rather than directly targeting the pathogen itself. These therapies harness the body's own defenses to enhance the immune response, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair, providing an innovative approach to managing infections, particularly in the context of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and emerging pathogens.
Host-directed therapies represent a paradigm shift in the treatment of infectious diseases, offering new avenues for addressing drug-resistant infections and diseases where conventional antimicrobial agents have limited efficacy. By targeting the host’s immune response, HDTs can provide a complementary or alternative strategy to traditional antimicrobial treatments, often working in synergy with existing drugs.
Key topics covered in this session include:
- Mechanisms of Host-Directed Therapies: Targeting immune modulation, autophagy, and inflammatory pathways
- Infectious Diseases Treated with HDTs: Tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, viral infections, and fungal infections
- Immunomodulation in Infectious Disease Therapy: Enhancing host defense mechanisms
- HDTs in Combination with Antimicrobials: Reducing resistance and improving treatment outcomes
- Clinical Trials and Regulatory Challenges in HDTs
- Role of Host-Directed Therapies in Pandemics and Emerging Diseases
- Repurposing Existing Drugs for Host-Directed Mechanisms
- Translational Research and the Path to Clinical Application
This session will bring together immunologists, infectious disease specialists, pharmacologists, and biotechnology innovators to explore the potential of HDTs in the fight against infectious diseases and the growing threat of AMR.