Can We Lower the Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Heavily Immunocompromised Patients? A Narrative Review and Call to Action

Abstract

Effective antibiotics are a cornerstone of treatment for heavily immunocompromised patients such as those undergoing cancer treatment or transplantation procedures, as these patients are at particularly high risk of adverse outcomes from infections. However, rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to undermine our ability to deliver modern treatments, and without action, recent advances in clinical care may be undone. In this narrative review, we examine the broad burdens of AMR for patients and healthcare systems, including excess mortality, underlying disease outcomes, economic costs and the damage to patients’ quality of life. Despite the profound impact on individual wellbeing, the patient voice and patient-reported experience measures are largely absent from current research. To protect the everyday benefits of antibiotics, it is vital to educate all those involved in patient care on how we can combat AMR, including appropriate testing, use of effective antibiotics and infection control procedures. Moreover, given the high investment in novel anticancer treatments, good antimicrobial stewardship has the potential to deliver overall cost savings to healthcare systems while ensuring that patients can safely access and benefit from these therapies.