Domestic researchers have developed a next-generation antifungal treatment that selectively targets Candida while reducing side effects. Candida is a fungus that can infect the mouth, esophagus, genitals, and nails, causing potentially fatal harm to individuals with weakened immune systems.
Professor Jung Hyun-jung of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Professor Jung Yong-pil of Seoul Asan Medical Center announced on the 8th that they have developed a genetic-based nanotherapy (FTNx) that simultaneously inhibits two key enzymes in the cell wall of Candida. The research results were published in the international journal Nature Communications on the 1st.
Candidiasis is an infectious disease in which the fungus spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream and can lead to organ damage and sepsis. In severe cases, the mortality rate for sepsis can reach as high as 50%. Recently, the incidence of candidiasis has surged due to an increase in immunosuppressive treatments, organ transplants, and the use of medical devices. However, current antifungal medications have side effects that kill both Candida and human cells, and new resistant strains are emerging, diminishing treatment efficacy.
To create the new treatment, the researchers loaded short deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments that block the production of two key enzymes essential for the formation of the Candida cell wall onto gold nanoparticles. They applied surface coating technology that binds to specific glycosyl structures of the Candida cell wall, ensuring that it is delivered only to Candida while not affecting human cells.
The nanoparticle complex entered the Candida cells and blocked the synthesis of cell wall components. As a result, the Candida cell wall could not maintain its structural stability and collapsed, inhibiting the survival and proliferation of the bacteria. Following mouse experiments, the researchers noted a reduction in the number of Candida in the organs, normalization of the immune response, and an increase in survival rates.
Professor Jung Hyun-jung stated, "This research presents a method to overcome the problems of human toxicity and drug resistance associated with existing treatments," adding that, "we plan to conduct ongoing research to optimize the administration method and verify toxicity for future applications in real patients."
References
Nature Communications (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60684-7