New Drug Shows Promise in Dramatically Shortening Treatment for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Cape Town, South Africa – A new drug, sorfequiline, is demonstrating significant potential to revolutionize the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), according to preliminary trial results presented this week. The findings suggest a future where TB treatment could be drastically shortened and made more effective, offering renewed hope in the fight against a disease that continues to claim over a million lives annually.
Just a decade ago, patients battling drug-resistant TB faced grueling regimens lasting 18 months or longer, often requiring hospital stays and multiple injections, with a success rate of only around 50%. A more recent gold-standard treatment, introduced in 2019, improved outcomes, successfully treating 90% of patients within six months. Researchers believe sorfequiline could build on this progress, possibly offering even faster and more reliable cures.
The University of Cape Town Lung Institute has completed two trials of a sorfequiline-based regimen, and early anecdotal evidence from trial sites has fueled excitement. Researchers reported instances of patients experiencing unusually rapid recoveries, prompting optimism about the drug’s efficacy. “Its amazing 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,'” said Dr. Beaumont.
TB Alliance, the organization leading the growth of sorfequiline, plans to launch a phase-3 clinical trial in 2026. While the prospect of a swifter, more effective treatment is promising – potentially increasing treatment completion rates and reducing the period of contagiousness – some experts caution against worldwide request.
Dr. Kavindhran Velen, chief scientific officer at the international Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, expressed concern that widespread use of a powerful new treatment could disincentivize investment in crucial diagnostic infrastructure like laboratories and testing.He warned against “taking a hammer to an ant [for patients who could be treated with gentler drugs],” emphasizing the need to avoid overexposing patients to treatment when less intensive options are sufficient.
