Helping lungs heal after tuberculosis by clearing infected cells
Pro-apoptotic Drugs as Host-Directed Treatments for Pulmonary Tuberculosis”
['FUNDING_R01'] · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · NIH-11452554
Using a cancer drug that helps infected cells die alongside antibiotics to help people with lung tuberculosis recover faster and reduce long-term lung damage.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11452554 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses a drug called navitoclax, which encourages infected cells to undergo programmed cell death, together with standard TB antibiotics to try to improve bacterial clearance and limit lung destruction. Researchers will study effects in laboratory and animal models and examine lung tissue for necrosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and bacterial burden. They will also track changes in immune cells and tissue remodeling to understand how the drug alters the lung environment. The goal is to find a treatment that could shorten antibiotic courses and lower the risk of chronic breathing problems after TB.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with active pulmonary tuberculosis, especially those at risk for severe lung tissue damage or post-TB lung disease, would be the ideal candidates for future clinical testing.
Not a fit: People with extrapulmonary TB or those who have medical contraindications to Bcl-2 inhibitors (the drug class including navitoclax) may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could shorten TB treatment and reduce long-term lung scarring and breathing problems for people who survive pulmonary TB.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies reported by the team showed improved bacterial elimination and less lung damage with navitoclax, and the drug has safety data from cancer trials, but applying it as a host-directed TB therapy is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES
- CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR — CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JAIN, SANJAY K — CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- Study coordinator: JAIN, SANJAY K
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.