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Problem of persisters persists, but anti-cancer drugs hold hope

Nature Medicine volume 21, pages 836–837 (2015)Cite this article

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In the world of antibiotic resistance, it is well known that bacteria can pass down genetic traits that enable them to dodge the effects of drugs. But they also have an innate, insidious defense option: sometimes, even without any genetic mutation to stave off antimicrobial agents, bacteria simply go to sleep. In this scenario, they become what are known as 'persisters'—dormant cells with low levels of metabolic activity. In this state, they are rendered untreatable by conventional antibiotics.

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  1. Boer Deng
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Deng, B. Problem of persisters persists, but anti-cancer drugs hold hope. Nat Med 21, 836–837 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0815-836

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