NEWS – India to introduce advanced treatment regimen for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis. It was recommended by WHO nearly 20 months ago

WHAT IS BPAL REGIMEN?

Definition

    – Innovative treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB)

    – Utilizes three drugs: bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid

– Purpose : Targets drug-resistant tuberculosis, especially for patients with pre-XDR TB or those unresponsive to MDR pulmonary TB treatment

– Duration : Shorter treatment duration of 26 weeks, compared to traditional DR-TB treatments spanning 18 months

Effectiveness Evaluation

– Methodology

    – Randomized phase-3/4 trial with 400 participants across eight locations

    – Focus on long-term treatment success assessed a year after BPaL completion

– Preliminary Results

    – Early findings exhibit an 85%+ cure rate, surpassing conventional DR-TB treatment’s 60-65% cure rate

Safety and Enhancements

– Safety Profile

    – Generally safe, with manageable side effects

    – Linezolid-induced neuropathy and reduced hemoglobin and platelet counts

– Ongoing Enhancements

    – Optimizing linezolid dosing to minimize side effects while maintaining effectiveness

Potential Impact and Next Steps

– Potential Impact

    – Successful BPaL implementation could revolutionize DR-TB treatment globally

    – Enhancing adherence, outcomes, and tuberculosis control efforts

– Next Steps

    – Further assessment and follow-ups to determine BPaL’s long-term efficacy

    – Potential global implementation as the standard treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis