Shorter, all-oral treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
DRAMATIC Phase 2 Duration Randomized MDR-TB Treatment Trial
Testing whether a shorter, all-oral drug regimen can help people with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) finish treatment faster with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11393203 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, I would be randomized to one of four different treatment lengths of an all-oral combination that includes newer drugs like bedaquiline and delamanid, with linezolid given only during the first 8 weeks. The trial is partially blinded, happens at multiple sites, and is a Phase 2 effort designed to find the shortest duration that still cures MDR-TB. The regimen avoids injectable drugs and pyrazinamide (PZA) to reduce toxicity, and animal studies suggest the combination could work. The study team will monitor safety and cure rates over time to decide which treatment lengths are effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) who are eligible for an all-oral treatment plan and can attend study visits are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without MDR-TB, or whose TB is resistant to the study drugs or who cannot take oral medications or complete follow-up, are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could shorten how long people need treatment and lower the risk of toxic side effects from current regimens.
How similar studies have performed: Newer all-oral drugs like bedaquiline and delamanid have shown promise, but using a randomized multi-duration design to pick the shortest safe course is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nahid, Payam — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Nahid, Payam
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.