Revolutionizing Lyme Disease Treatment: The Power of Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT)

Lyme disease and related co-infections can be some of the most persistent and challenging illnesses to treat. Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT), represents a leading edge approach that holds promise for these patients on the road to recovery.

Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) has been researched for several decades as a way to manipulate gene expression and cellular function by using short DNA or RNA molecules known as oligonucleotides. In relation to infectious diseases, SOT looks for genetic targets that impact protein synthesis needed by these bacterial and viral pathogens to replicate and reproduce.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and other species of Borrelia. This infection is transmitted through tick bites and is both difficult to diagnose and treat. SOT represents a unique opportunity to address these challenges by targeting protein synthesis involved in the persistence and evasion mechanisms of the bacteria. By decreasing the bacteria’s ability to replicate and reproduce the patient’s immune system is given the opportunity to clear the infection and reduce the risk of chronic Lyme disease complications.

The unique mechanism of SOT is particularly interesting as it relates to Lyme and co-infections as it does not rely on antibiotics. There is a rise in antibiotic resistance and many Lyme patients have previously been on courses of antibiotics. SOT offers a novel approach and uses a completely different mechanism than antibiotics so it overcomes this resistance by targeting essential bacterial genes and disrupting reproduction.

The same mechanism used to treat Lyme disease can be applied to other infections. Whether these infections are caused by bacteria or viruses a SOT target can be made to impact protein synthesis. The potential of Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) for infectious disease is promising and ongoing research will hopefully continue to define how this treatment can best be applied. RGCC reports a positive clinical response in over 90% of infectious cases treated to date.