Promising New Drug Alternatives for Less Toxic Tuberculosis Treatment Unveiled in Clinical Trials

Recent clinical research published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases highlights promising advancements in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Two novel drugs, sutezolid and delpazolid, have shown strong antimicrobial effects with significantly improved safety profiles compared to the widely used linezolid, which is known for its toxicity with long-term use.

The studies, conducted across African research centers including South Africa and Tanzania, involved phase IIb trials combining these new drugs with other first-line TB medications such as bedaquiline, delamanid, and moxifloxacin. These trials revealed that both sutezolid and delpazolid are not only effective in combating drug-sensitive TB but also better tolerated by patients, reducing common adverse effects like nerve damage and blood toxicity associated with linezolid.

Linezolid, employed since 2022 as part of the shortened six-month treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant TB, has faced criticism due to serious side effects that can lead to treatment discontinuation. This urgency has driven the development of safer alternatives. Both sutezolid and delpazolid belong to the oxazolidinone class, similar to linezolid, but with a markedly improved safety profile, making them suitable candidates for long-term treatment.

The key findings showed that sutezolid demonstrated potent antibacterial activity without causing nerve or blood toxicity at various doses. Similarly, delpazolid, at a once-daily dose of 1,200 mg over 16 weeks, achieved effective drug levels with minimal side effects. Researchers believe these drugs could transform future TB treatment protocols, especially for patients requiring prolonged therapy.

These pioneering studies, led by Radboud University Medical Center and the PanACEA network, underscore the potential of these drugs to replace more toxic options, thereby improving patient outcomes and adherence to therapy. Future research aims to verify these positive results in larger patient populations and within fully optimized treatment combinations.

The advancements represent a significant step forward in creating safer, more tolerable TB treatments, with the promise to enhance the quality of life for many affected individuals worldwide.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-clinical-trials-reveal-alternatives-high.html