Using blood tests to personalize linezolid dosing for rifampin-resistant TB
Official title: Therapeutic drug monitoring for linezolid in the treatment of rifampin-resistant tuberculosis: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11238488 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether checking linezolid blood levels and adjusting doses helps adults with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis, including people with HIV, get safer and more effective treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $464,199 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI184416-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11238488 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis who are being treated with linezolid, including people living with HIV, are the most likely candidates for this work.
✕Less likely to help
People not taking linezolid (for example those with drug-sensitive TB), children, or anyone unable to have routine blood tests are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this trial.
What this research studies
If you have rifampin-resistant TB and are prescribed linezolid, the trial will randomly assign you to routine care or to regular blood tests that measure linezolid levels with dose adjustments to keep levels in a safer range. Doctors will follow participants throughout treatment to watch for common linezolid side effects like low blood counts and nerve damage and to record whether the infection is cured. The approach is designed to be used in regular clinic settings and aims to reduce treatment interruptions that can lead to worse outcomes or more drug resistance. The study is run from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and includes adults, with attention to people living with HIV who face higher risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce serious side effects and treatment interruptions while improving cure rates by tailoring linezolid doses to each person.
How similar studies have gone: Observational studies have linked high linezolid levels to toxicity and suggest monitoring may help, but large randomized trials of therapeutic drug monitoring for linezolid are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brust, James C M — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Brust, James C M
Related research
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Personalized linezolid dosing for rifampin-resistant tuberculosis
This work compares standard linezolid dosing to dosing adjusted using blood tests to help adults with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis, including people living with HIV, get effective treatment while reducing harmful side effects.
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This compares a four-drug, rifamycin-free, very short TB treatment to the usual longer therapy for adults with drug-susceptible tuberculosis, including people taking HIV medicines.
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Ultra-short bedaquiline-based regimen for drug-susceptible TB
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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.