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Rather than attacking drug-resistant germs head-on, a UA researcher is proposing an insurgent-like approach that destroys the links that allow an infection to survive.

Evolving pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly called MRSA, have thus far been able beat back traditional antibiotic treatments through adaptation, in a sense forming a barrier against common drugs.

But rather than fight those so-called superbugs on their terms, research by University of Arizona assistant professor John Pepper, unveiled Thursday, calls for an end run around the wall.

Because individual cells in pathogens work together to create an environment in which they can flourish, disrupting that collaboration with other drugs can be fatal, Pepper said.

It's somewhat analogous to a military unit cutting off an enemy's supply lines.

"They modify their own environment to make it more hospitable," he said of the pathogens. "If we can interfere with that and we remove the environment they all depend on, then they all die."

While the concept isn't necessarily a new one — a similar approach is used in some cancer treatments already — mathematical modeling done by Pepper shows that pathogens don't adapt to the strategy as quickly as they develop tolerance to anti- biotics.

Pepper's research is scheduled to be published in the journal Evolution in December.

Rather than replacing conventional antibiotics used against infections, the new treatment could be used when drug resistance is expected, he said.

The approach also could have far-reaching implications for treatments of viruses such as HIV and diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, both of which have seen a recent resurgence.

Pepper describes the pressure to stop infections as a race between bacteria and scientists who develop antibiotics.

"So far, the bacteria have been winning that race," he said. "But what if there's another game where it would be easier to stay ahead because the bacteria would not evolve as quickly?"

In a typical infection, one bacterium cell produces a substance that proves beneficial to the rest of the cells. It's a simple form of teamwork that allows the infection to grow.

A similar situation occurs in some cancerous cells, which send out chemical signals telling the body to grow more blood vessels to keep a tumor growing.

Drugs already exist that cut off that specific chemical signal, starving the tumor until it dies.

Pepper said he's especially interested in seeing how his research might apply to cancer that becomes resistant to certain treatments.

"That's a big issue in oncology," he said. "If our drugs didn't lose their effectiveness, a lot fewer people would die of cancer."