New oral antibiotic can substantially reduce the risk of developing drug-resistant TB
Two groundbreaking clinical trials, presented at the Union Conference in Paris, have demonstrated the significant impact of a new oral antibiotic in reducing the risk of developing drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The trials, conducted by researchers from the Desmond Tutu TB Center at Stellenbosch University, have shown that the antibiotic levofloxacin can safely reduce the risk of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB in both children and adults.
The first of the two studies, known as the TB-CHAMP trial, focused on children below 5 years of age and found that levofloxacin reduced the risk of MDR-TB disease in children by 56%. Professor Anneke Hesseling, Director of the Desmond Tutu TB Center, emphasized the importance of safeguarding children from drug-resistant TB, highlighting the substantial benefits to families and communities.
The second study, the VQUIN trial, involved adults and adolescents and found that levofloxacin reduced the risk of MDR-TB in adults and adolescents by 45%. Professor Greg Fox, Principal Investigator on the VQUIN trial, noted that the six-month once-daily treatment with levofloxacin can protect individuals from the physical, social, and financial consequences of drug-resistant TB.
The trials have provided much-needed evidence for the prevention of drug-resistant TB, particularly in children, who have historically been neglected in TB research. Dr. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid, hailed the trials as a major advance and a potential way to protect millions of children from the debilitating illness.
In addition to the clinical findings, the trials also completed work on additional considerations such as acceptability of the drug regimen, feasibility, health economics, pharmacokinetics, and antimicrobial resistance. The combined data from the two trials, utilizing novel Bayesian analysis, demonstrated a 60% reduction in the risk of developing TB with levofloxacin.
The results of these trials will be considered in the upcoming deliberations of the World Health Organization’s advisory committee, which will review new guidelines for MDR-TB preventive treatment in December 2023. The hope is that the findings from these trials will inform new recommendations for children and adolescents globally.
The groundbreaking trials have the potential to revolutionize the approach to TB prevention and treatment, particularly for children, who are among the most neglected populations affected by TB worldwide. With the promising results of the levofloxacin trials, there is optimism for a future where drug-resistant TB can be effectively mitigated, offering hope to patients and their families.