Two randomized controlled trials published in 2022 showed that treatment for multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) can be shortened to only 6 months with successful treatment achieved in 90% of study participants. However, not all components of the 6-month regimens are universally available and restrictions apply for the use in children, pregnant women and disseminated disease.
In a clinical trial sponsored by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) different treatment regimens for persons affected by MDR/RR-TB were evaluated in parallel as an alternative to the WHO-endorsed 6 months regimen. Three of five 9-month regimens were well tolerated and led to approximately 90% successful treatment outcomes.
This is highly welcome news for patients affected by MDR/RR-TB who are not eligible or have no access to the 6-month regimen. Prior to the publication of the trial outcomes in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine in January 2025, the World Health Organization had already adopted the results from the EndTB trial and revised treatment management recommendations for MDR/RR-TB in June 2024.
” This is a great achievement, and I am incredibly proud to see what we have accomplished together - thanks to the dedicated teamwork and, most importantly, the participants and patients. This is truly inspiring, and I believe we must continue joining our forces and make every effort to fight against tuberculosis until the end,“ says Ohanna Kirakosyan from the Clinical Infectious Diseases group at the Research Center Borstel, one of the co-authors of the End TB trial.
Reference:
Guglielmetti L, Khan U, Velásquez GE, Gouillou M, Abubakirov A, Baudin E, Berikova E, Berry C, Bonnet M, Cellamare M, Chavan V, Cox V, Dakenova Z, de Jong BC, Ferlazzo G, Karabayev A, Kirakosyan O, Kiria N, Kunda M, Lachenal N, Lecca L, McIlleron H, Motta I, Toscano SM, Mushtaque H, Nahid P, Oyewusi L, Panda S, Patil S, Phillips PPJ, Ruiz J, Salahuddin N, Garavito ES, Seung KJ, Ticona E, Trippa L, Vasquez DEV, Wasserman S, Rich ML, Varaine F, Mitnick CD; endTB Clinical Trial Team. Oral Regimens for Rifampin-Resistant, Fluoroquinolone-Susceptible Tuberculosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Jan 30;392(5):468-482. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2400327. PMID: 39879593.
Contact:
Ohanna Kirakosyan MD
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center
Parkallee 35
23845 Borstel
Germany
17.02.2025