Welcome to the Working Group on New TB Drugs Blog
TB R&D Weekly Update: New Target Identified for Pyrazinamide
This week we highlight an article published out of Ying Zhang’s laboratory at Johns Hopkins University that puts forth a new model for the mode of action of pyrazinamide (PZA) and as well as suggest trans-translation as a potential target to consider in the development of new drugs for TB. Additional links to TB R&D news are included.
TB R&D Weekly Update: Some Multidrug-resistant Bacteria More Fit
This week we have an article by researchers from Portugal that suggests that in the case of resistance conferred by plasmids that in some cases resistant bacteria increases its ability to replicate and overall fitness compared to susceptible bacteria. This may complicate research and control efforts to address the rising problem of multi-drug resistance. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
Posted in Early Drug Development, Front Lines of TB R&D, TB Drug Development, Uncategorized
TB R&D Weekly Update: Novel Compounds Screened for DS and MDR-TB
This week’s featured article from Bill Jacob’s lab looks at novel InhA (target of isoniazid (INH), a first-line TB drug) inhibitors and their ability to kill M. tuberculosis (M.tb) that is drug-sensitive, resistant and in dormant stage. Two compounds were identified that had significant bactericidal activity against M.tb: CD 39 and CD117. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
Posted in Early Drug Development, Front Lines of TB R&D, TB Drug Development, TB Treatment
TB R&D Weekly Update: Efflux and Rifampicin Resistance
This week we look again at the role of efflux pumps in resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs. Louw, et al., sought to “demonstrate that the level of rifampicin resistance is defined by efflux, which regulates the intracellular concentration of rifampicin.” This is a shift from the current thinking in the field that rifampicin resistance is solely the result of mutations in the rpoB gene. The article entitled “Rifampicin Reduces Susceptibility to Ofloxacin in Rifampicin Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis through Efflux” was published ahead of print in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Additional links to TB R&D News is included.
TB R&D Weekly Update: T-Cell Surface Markers as Potential Biomarkers for TB Treatment
In this week’s article, potential cellular biomarkers are explored in the mouse model with three potential markers: PD-1 and TIM-3 on CD8 T cells and KIRG-1 on both CD4 and CD8 T cells. The search for validated biomarkers that can predict treatment success has been a difficult one. The focus of much of the research on biomarkers has been on serum markers, because of practical reasons and considerations of use in resource-limited settings. Henao-Tamayo, et al., took a different focus looking at markers on the surface of lung T cells. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
Posted in Front Lines of TB R&D, TB Drug Development, TB R&D Spotlight Interviews, TB Treatment, Voices from the Fight to Stop Tuberculosis, WGND Podcast Series
TB R&D Weekly Update: Podcast Interview with Dr. Edward Nardell
This week, we feature an interview with Dr. Edward Nardell who is a pulmonologist with a special interest in tuberculosis. His principal academic appointment is as associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School. In 2002 he joined Partners In Health as Director of Tuberculosis Research. During the interview, we discuss with Dr. Nardell his background and interest in TB, the Airbourne Infections Research (AIR) Facility, his thoughts on the MDR-TB epidemic, and his current research focus. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
Announcement: Dr. Peter Andersen Awarded Prestigious Scientific Prize
Dr. Peter Andersen, the Vice President of Vaccine Research and Development at Statens Serum Institut (SSI) and TBVI partner, has been awarded the prestigious Novo Nordisk prize for his work in TB vaccine development. The WGND interviewed Dr. Andersen for our TB R&D Weekly Update on March 8. Congratulations to Dr. Andersen! For full story, [...]
Posted in Early Drug Development, Front Lines of TB R&D, TB Drug Development, Voices from the Fight to Stop Tuberculosis, WGND Podcast Series
TB R&D Weekly Update: Podcast interview on TB Drug Tolerance and Efflux Pumps
The WGND had the opportunity to interview three researchers (Lalita Ramakrishnan, Paul Edelstein, and Christine Cosma) involved in the groundbreaking research on the role of efflux pumps in contributing to drug tolerance during TB treatment which was published in the April 1 issue of Cell. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
TB R&D Weekly Update: Drugs Targeting MMP-1 May Reduce Lung Pathology Caused by TB
In this week’s article which was published online ahead of print, Elkington, et al., presents significant data to support the premise that M. tuberculosis infection drives proteolytic destruction of the lung matrix contributing to lung damage caused by TB and to the morbidity and mortality of TB. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
CNN News Coverage and FIND Presentation on Rapid TB test, Xpert MTB/RIF
CNN featured TB diagnostic Xpert MTB/RIF in its Inside Africa program and looked at the implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF in Uganda. In addition, the CORE Group hosted an online presentation on Xpert MTB/RIF from Elizabeth Talbot, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Health at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and Medical Scientist, FIND: Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. Results of a survey of their TB Working Group listserv also is included.
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You are currently browsing the archives for the Front Lines of TB R&D category.
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Toppix TB News- Editorial: Lives at risk if the U.S. shortchanges Global Fund 4 Feb 2012
- Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis - Update 3 Feb 2012
- Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis - Update 3 Feb 2012
- WHO says TB in Russia displays highest known drug resistance 3 Feb 2012
- Media outlets examine Global Fund's future as it enters second decade 3 Feb 2012
