How lung cavities and granulomas affect TB inflammation and drug levels
Cavity and Granuloma Oriented Inflammation and Tissue Pharmacokinetics in Pulmonary Tuberculosis (COOK TB)
['FUNDING_R01'] · EMORY UNIVERSITY · NIH-11285240
This project looks at how damaged lung areas in people with pulmonary tuberculosis influence inflammation and whether antibiotics reach those spots.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | EMORY UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11285240 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES
- EMORY UNIVERSITY — ATLANTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KEMPKER, RUSSELL RYAN — EMORY UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: KEMPKER, RUSSELL RYAN
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.