How lung cavities and granulomas affect TB inflammation and drug levels
Official title: Cavity and Granuloma Oriented Inflammation and Tissue Pharmacokinetics in Pulmonary Tuberculosis (COOK TB)
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11285240 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how damaged lung areas in people with pulmonary tuberculosis influence inflammation and whether antibiotics reach those spots.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | February 9, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $715,817 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173946-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285240 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with active pulmonary tuberculosis—especially those whose imaging shows lung cavities or who have persistent or hard-to-treat disease—and who can undergo imaging and clinical sampling may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
People without active pulmonary TB (for example, those with latent TB) or those unable or unwilling to undergo imaging or provide clinical samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
What this research studies
If you have active pulmonary tuberculosis, researchers will combine advanced imaging with tissue-level molecular mapping to see which inflammatory pathways are active in necrotic granulomas and cavities. They will measure antibiotic concentrations inside those damaged areas to find out whether drugs reach the bacteria. The team will use spatial multiomics methods to map gene activity and signaling molecules across lesion regions. The goal is to link those patterns to drug penetration so future treatments can better prevent lung damage and treatment failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that limit lung damage and help doctors choose antibiotics or add host-targeted treatments that reach the bacteria more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that cavities can limit antibiotic penetration and worsen outcomes, but applying high-resolution imaging and spatial multiomics to human TB lesions is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kempker, Russell Ryan — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Kempker, Russell Ryan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Urine color test to check tuberculosis drug levels in children and adults
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-
Treatment options for isoniazid-resistant TB: safety, effectiveness, and drug levels with a standard regimen
This grant studies whether a standard TB treatment plan that includes levofloxacin is safe and effective for people with isoniazid-resistant TB in Peru.
-
Urine color test to monitor TB medicine levels in children and adults
This project uses a simple urine color measurement to check how well TB medicines, especially rifampin, reach the body in children and adults.
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Finding better ways to diagnose tuberculosis in young children in Malawi.
This study is looking for better ways to find tuberculosis in young children under five in Malawi, especially those who are very malnourished, to help improve their treatment and care.
-
Evaluating a new treatment for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis
This study is looking at a new treatment for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis to see how well it works and how safe it is for patients, so we can find better options for people dealing with this tough infection.
-
Improving treatment for isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis
This project tests whether replacing isoniazid with levofloxacin and adjusting doses gives safer, more effective treatment for adults with isoniazid-resistant TB.
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.