Antibiotic conjugates: Using molecular Trojan Horses to overcome drug resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis due to multi-drug-resistant bacteria. The ‘Trojan Horse’ strategy involves conjugating antibiotics with bioactive components to enhance their effectiveness against recalcitrant pathogens. This review discusses research on antibiotic conjugates with monoclonal antibodies, antimicrobial peptides, and iron-chelating siderophores. Challenges in clinical translation and future research directions are discussed. Understanding AMR mechanisms and advances in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and bioinformatics are crucial for designing more selective, potent, and safe antibiotic conjugates.