Phage‐Integrated Biomaterials for Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance in Chronic Wound Healing: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The presence of ESKAPE pathogens and the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continue to limit the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics and antimicrobial dressings which are currently being used for the treatment of chronic and non‐healing wounds, particularly those infected with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens. Bacteriophage‐based approaches have been identified as an effective alternative, especially due to their high specificity against target organisms, strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, as well as their ability to effectively target and eliminate MDR pathogens. Recent breakthroughs in biomaterial‐based research have made it possible to integrate bacteriophages into wound healing platforms, providing a new approach for localized and controlled antimicrobial therapy. Herein, we critically evaluate the development and application of bacteriophage‐loaded biomaterials for wound healing. Further, phage incorporation strategies, factors affecting their release kinetics, and the clinical translation potential of such systems have also been extensively discussed. Collectively, this review highlights the efficacy of bacteriophage‐loaded biomaterials as an alternative antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of chronic wounds.