Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the most pressing global health challenges, necessitating the development of innovative alternatives to conventional antibiotics. This narrative review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of the current knowledge on bacteriophage therapy, emphasizing its biological mechanisms, therapeutic applications, advantages over traditional antibiotics, and the major scientific and regulatory challenges limiting its widespread clinical adoption. The review discusses phage biology, host specificity, lytic and lysogenic life cycles, mechanisms of bacterial killing, biofilm degradation, immunomodulatory effects, and the growing evidence supporting phage therapy against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. It also examines ongoing clinical trials, personalized phage therapy, genetically engineered bacteriophages, phage-antibiotic synergy, advanced delivery systems, and future research priorities aimed at integrating phage therapy into modern clinical practice. By critically evaluating recent literature published between 2011 and 2026, this review identifies current knowledge gaps and highlights emerging opportunities for advancing phage-based therapeutics. The manuscript serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers, clinicians, microbiologists, infectious disease specialists, veterinarians, and policymakers working to address the global antimicrobial resistance crisis.
Tanvir Ahmmed Joy (Thu,) studied this question.