Potential Breakthrough in Tuberculosis Treatment Announced
Medical researchers have revealed promising results from a clinical trial of a new tuberculosis drug that could significantly improve cure rates and shorten treatment duration for millions affected by the deadly disease. The announcement came during the Union Conference on Lung Health in Copenhagen, where scientists presented findings on Sorfequiline, a novel antibiotic showing stronger action against TB bacteria than existing treatments.
Global Impact of Tuberculosis
An estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with tuberculosis last year, with 1.23 million deaths recorded globally. The World Health Organization's recent annual report emphasised that TB remains a major global public-health problem and the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. Progress in combating the disease is being threatened by aid cuts and falling short of targets towards UN goals of ending TB as a public-health threat this decade.
The phase-2 trial involved 309 participants across 22 sites in South Africa, the Philippines, Georgia, Tanzania and Uganda. Researchers tested different dose regimens of Sorfequiline, with all participants having drug-sensitive tuberculosis - meaning standard drug cocktails can safely treat them. However, researchers believe the new treatment could also benefit patients with drug-resistant TB infections.
Universal Treatment Approach
Dr Maria Beumont, vice-president of TB Alliance, explained the potential advantages of a Sorfequiline-based regimen. "I can just put you on a treatment while I'm waiting to understand exactly what your situation is. I don't need to wait to get information back and classify you as drug sensitive, this or that regimen. There is no need to go through all of that," she stated.
This approach could prove particularly valuable in regions where access to swift diagnostic tests for TB remains patchy. In some areas, doctors may wait days or weeks for laboratory results identifying the specific TB type before beginning appropriate treatment.
Dr William Brumskine, clinical research site leader at the Aurum Institute in Rustenburg, South Africa, highlighted how a universal regimen could transform patient care. "The hope of having a universal regimen that is shorter, that has less side-effects, is you will have less individuals coming in for clinic visits [and so] the health care providers will have more time to give individual care to patients," he explained.
Evolution of TB Treatment
The potential breakthrough represents significant progress from treatment options available just a decade ago. Patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis previously faced gruelling 18-month regimens involving multiple injections and hospital stays, with only about 50% achieving cure. The current gold-standard treatment, introduced in 2019, successfully treats 90% of people within six months.
Dr Beumont described the growing excitement among researchers as trial results emerged. "It's incredible when you start getting these little anecdotes from the sites [such as]: 'This patient got cured so fast. I don't know what arm [of the trial] he was on, but wow, I've never seen this before.'"
However, Dr Kavindhran Velen, chief scientific officer at the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, expressed some caution. While acknowledging that swifter, more effective TB treatment could increase completion rates and reduce contagious periods, he warned against universal application without consideration. "We don't want to overexpose an individual to treatment that is not necessarily needed," he stated, comparing it to "taking a hammer to an ant" for patients who could be treated with gentler drugs.
TB Alliance plans to launch a phase-3 clinical trial in 2026, moving closer to potentially making this new treatment available to the millions affected by tuberculosis worldwide.
