Summary
Summary [EPQ FULL MARKS 60/60] Secondary Source Evaluation
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Detailed evaluation using the CRAAP approach of all 74 secondary sources I used in my EPQ on bacteriophage therapy.
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Secondary SourceEvaluation
- To What Extent Could Bacteriophage Therapy Be Applied to Treat Certain
Superbug Infections and Cancers and How Will It Impact Medicine in the Future?
Oliver Xue Extended Project Qualification
, ORIGINAL SECONDARY RESEARCH
Source
1. Häusler, T. (2008). Viruses vs. Superbugs. Macmillan.
Description
This is a book that gives a comprehensively described history of phage therapy, together with an in-depth analysis of
its current situation and potential future applications. This book, a real page-turner, offered a detailed overview of
phage therapy from the early 1910s up to the 2000s both in the East and the West, along with proper examples.
What I Wanted to Find out
I wanted to establish a general overview of the history of phage therapy. I also wanted to find out why
bacteriophage therapy is not presently well-known by the public. Additionally, I wished to find out how the history
of phage therapy correlates with its present situation.
What I Learnt from the Source
I learnt the stories of phage therapy’s important pioneering figures throughout its history, including Félix d’Hérelle
and George Eliava. The author provided me with great insight into a comprehensive selection of various facets of
phage therapy, from the basic mechanism and procedure to its fascinating history and present applications.
I also learnt the sheer difference in terms of the development of phage therapy between the East and the West over
the past 70 years. I also collected a plethora of valuable quotes from the book.
Evaluation (based on the CRAAP approach)
Currency
The currency of this paper-based piece of research is not particularly satisfactory as it was first published in
2002 and then edited and translated into English in 2008. Some statistical data and scientific theories may
not be up-to-date or accurate based on the current context. People’s opinions may have changed to an
unpredictable degree over the 14 years from when the book was first published. Current or recent research
outcomes may contradict the description in the book.
Relevance
This book is highly relevant to my research topic. In fact, this is one of the few books that have been
published to the public about phage therapy in the 21st century. This book was able to provide me with
extremely valuable information regarding phage therapy and its history. This book features many real-life
examples by means of presenting highly scientific and narrative descriptions. These examples could be
used in the production of my research outcome.
Authority
The author Dr Thomas Häusler is the chief science editor of the Swiss news magazine Factsand and has
won several awards for his journalistic work, including the book Viruses vs. Superbugs. His works have been
considered satisfactorily factual. The information given in his book tends to be reliable.
Accuracy
The content of the book is primarily based on the author’s personal research, his real-life experience, and
interviews with patients and researchers at that time. Scientific and statistical evidence is abundant but not
up-to-date.
Purpose
The primary purpose of this book is to raise awareness of the alarming ongoing rise of antibiotic resistance
across the world and to introduce phage therapy to the audience of modern society. The author, a phage
therapy enthusiast, personally support phage therapy. Bias may be present and should be carefully and
discreetly identified.
Cross Referencing
Dr Dmitriy Myelnikov, a professional science historian who specialises in the history of bacteriophage therapy from
the University of Manchester, agrees with the basic facts and examples shown in the book during the interview I
arranged. The author’s bibliography was also something I could effectively utilise to extend my primary and
secondary research.
Next Steps
1 Secondary Source Evaluation
, Find more about lysin therapy.
To a further extent, discuss the history of bacteriophage therapy and its potential future with field experts
to ensure that my understanding is up-to-date, given the book’s currency is relatively weak.
Source
2. LaFee, S., & Buschman, H. (2019). With OK From FDA, UC San Diego Researchers Prepare to Launch
Novel Phage Study. UC Health - UC San Diego. Retrieved 9 January 2021, from https://shorturl.at/elxPT
Description
This is a published news article featuring the FDA’s approval of the first US clinical trial of an intravenously
administered phage therapy at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. This is a significant
landmark of the numerous attempts to bring modern phage therapy to the public.
What I Wanted to Find out
When, where, how, and why the FDA approved this historic clinical trial of experimental phage therapy. I also
wanted to find out more information about this clinical trial, including what the experimental phage was, what
bacterial infection it targeted, and who would be involved.
What I Learnt from the Source
I acquired the information I need to present this case study of human bacteriophage therapy clinical trials. This trial
was conducted by UC San Diego School of Medicine and was planned to involve approximately ten ventricular
assist device users with MRSA infections. The phage tested was AB-SA01.
I also learnt that 10 million people are estimated to die from antibiotic-resistant superbug infections by 2050. I can
now crucially analyse this case the current situation for scientists to bring phage therapy through Western regulatory
processes. The FDA approved this trial on compassionate grounds only.
Evaluation (based on the CRAAP approach)
Currency
This news article was published on 9th January 2019. Thus, its currency is relatively strong. This news
article is expected to be able to reflect the current relationship between phage therapy and Western
regulatory agencies.
Relevance
This report is highly relevant to my research topic as it provides me with an outlook on phage therapy. The
outlook is crucial for me when drawing a conclusion on the future of phage therapy and its potential
impacts on medicine in the future.
Authority
This news article was written by two PhD students at the University of California San Diego School of
Medicine. Their work is likely to be factual and objective.
Accuracy
The content of this news article is entirely based on past events, publicly agreed scientific facts and remarks
from several phage scientists at UC San Diego.
Purpose
This news article’s primary purpose is to report the historic approval of an experimental phage therapy
clinical trial by the US regulatory agency the FDA. The article also aimed to address the global crisis of life-
threatening antibiotic-resistance infections to the public. This article is optimistic about phage therapy;
therefore, it might be slightly biased.
Cross Referencing
Dr Dmitriy Myelnikov, a professional science historian who specialises in the history of bacteriophage therapy from
the University of Manchester, confirms that the FDA’s decision was correctly reflected in this news article during
the interview I arranged.
Next Steps
Find out if there are any current updates to the FDA’s approval of the first US phage therapy clinical trial.
2 Secondary Source Evaluation
, Find out some news from other regulatory agencies about phage therapy.
Source
3. O’Hare, R. (2019). Tumour-targeting viruses hold hope for incurable brain cancers | Imperial News |
Imperial College London. Imperial News. Retrieved 9 January 2021, from https://shorturl.at/yMSU2
Description
This is a published news article featuring a newly discovered phage therapy against glioblastoma, a deadly incurable
form of brain cancer. The research team of Dr Hajito of Imperial College London found this highly effective and
safe cancer therapy that could save thousands of lives.
What I Wanted to Find out
What the therapy is, what phage it involves, what glioblastoma is, how bacteriophages target cancer cells and deliver
gene therapy, what the future of this type of cancer treatment would be? I also wanted to find out its safety and
efficacy, along with its possible future.
What I Learnt from the Source
This news article provided me with some information on cutting-edge phage technology. Glioblastoma is a type of
brain cancer that kills many patients within the first year following diagnosis.
A genetically modified M13 phage can be used to target glioblastoma tumours and deliver a killer payload (a gene
fragment) to the cancer cells and eventually destroy them without doing any harm to the surrounding healthy cells.
Temozolomide (TMZ), an anti-cancer drug, can be used with M13 phages to amplify the process and boost the
effects of the gene therapy. At the cellular level, the virus can target three types of cells within glioblastomas: cancer
cells, cancer stem cells, and cancer blood vessel cells.
The Combination therapy of M13 phages and temozolomide has undergone a series of animal testing and has been
proved safe and highly effective.
This is the scientific evidence I need to back up my argument when arguing about applying phage therapy against
certain human cancers.
Evaluation (based on the CRAAP approach)
Currency
This news report was published in July 2019, and it, therefore, has a relatively high level of currency. The
phage therapy mentioned in the article should appropriately represent the current cutting-edge technology
in cancer medicine.
Relevance
This news article’s content is highly relevant to my EPQ project, as I am going to produce a final outcome
related to using phage therapy to treat certain superbug infections and human cancers.
Authority
Ryan O’Hare, a Communication and Public Affairs officer of Imperial College London, reported this news
piece. This news article was published on the Imperial College London website, which possesses a
convincing authority for factual scientific reports. There is no evidence to believe that this article was
fabricated or fake for any purpose.
Accuracy
This news article is primarily based on scientific facts and evidence provided by the research team from
Imperial College London. The accuracy of this source tends to be high.
Purpose
This news article’s primary purpose is to report the discovery of new therapeutic phage therapy against
glioblastoma to the public audience. This article has a positive inclination toward M13 phage therapy.
Thus, bias could be present.
Cross Referencing
See source 68.
3 Secondary Source Evaluation
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