AI-designed short-course drug combo (clofazimine, bedaquiline, pyrazinamide) for latent TB in people with HIV
Efficacy and Safety of AI-enabled PRS Regimen VI (Clofazimine, Bedaquiline and Pyrazinamide) as Ultra-Short Course Therapy of LTBI in Non-Human Primates in a setting mimicking HIV co-infection
Researchers are developing an AI-designed three-drug regimen intended to clear latent tuberculosis quickly in people who have HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284039 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses an AI parabolic response surface (AI-PRS) tool to find optimal dose combinations of bedaquiline, clofazimine, and pyrazinamide and then tests those combinations in non-human primates that mimic HIV co-infection. The team will examine whether the selected regimens can eliminate dormant TB bacteria in an ultra-short course (potentially one to two weeks) while monitoring safety. Success in these preclinical experiments would support moving the best regimens into human clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with latent tuberculosis infection who are living with HIV and at elevated risk for TB reactivation would be the eventual ideal candidates for this approach.
Not a fit: People without latent TB, those with active TB disease, or anyone who cannot take bedaquiline, clofazimine, or pyrazinamide because of allergies, drug interactions, or contraindications would not be expected to benefit from this regimen.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could shorten latent TB treatment from months to one or two weeks, making it much easier for people with HIV to complete therapy and reduce their risk of reactivation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical and some early translational work have shown synergy among these drugs and the AI-PRS platform has identified promising combinations, but ultra-short LTBI regimens in the context of HIV are novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Horwitz, Marcus Aaron — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Horwitz, Marcus Aaron
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.