ZeNix trial in South Africa and Eastern Europe sought to optimize the 6-month treatment regimen with reduced exposure to the drug linezolid

India has the leading number of TB cases globally

New Delhi/Berlin/Pretoria, July 16: The results of ZeNix, a Phase 3 clinical trial that took place in 11 sites across Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and South Africa, revealed that the BPaL treatment remains effective against highly drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB) with either reduced dosage or duration of the linezolid component of the regimen. Simultaneously, with the maintenance of efficacy, there was a decrease in linezolid-associated side effects. The results from the trial, which was led by TB Alliance, a non-profit TB drug developer, were announced ahead of an oral abstract presentation next week at the 11th IAS Conference on HIV Science.

The BPaL regimen—which combines the antibiotics bedaquiline (B), pretomanid (Pa), and linezolid (L)—received its first regulatory approval in August 2019 for use against highly drug-resistant strains of TB. Historically, treatment would take 18 months or longer, with reported global success rates averaging 43%.

“We now have evidence that the BPaL regimen can be optimized to make it even easier to use,” said Mel Spigelman, M.D., President and CEO of TB Alliance, which developed pretomanid for use in the regimen. “Until recently, patients with highly drug-resistant TB—among the most difficult infections to identify and treat—had to suffer through a combination of as many as eight antibiotics, some involving daily injections, for 18 months or longer.”

This Phase 3 clinical trial shows how TB Alliance’s new six-month three-drug treatment for highly drug-resistant TB can be administered by reducing the dosing of the drug linezolid. This regimen reduces the treatment time for highly drug-resistant forms of TB from 18 months or longer to six months duration.

India has the leading number of TB cases globally, accounting for more than 1 in 4 of all cases of active TB disease, including approximately 120,000 cases of drug-resistant forms of TB. India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has set an ambitious goal of TB eradication in India by 2025, ahead of the 2030 target of the Sustainable Development Goals. This bold commitment may face headwinds in the context of the unforeseen challenges posed by Covid-19, as well as the low success rates of current DR-TB treatments, which limit the potential of expanding TB services.

The ZeNix trial was a four-arm, randomized, double-blinded study as to dosage and duration of linezolid that enrolled 181 patients with highly drug-resistant forms of TB in South Africa, Russia, Georgia, and Moldova. Of these participants, 36 (20%) were HIV positive. Patients were treated for six months with bedaquiline, pretomanid, and varying doses and durations of linezolid, with follow-up, reported thus far to the primary endpoint six months after completion of treatment. The aim of the trial was to evaluate whether the efficacy of the BPaL regimen could be maintained while reducing a patient’s exposure to linezolid and its associated side effects.

The study enrolled participants with extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB, pre-XDR-TB, or failed or treatment-intolerant multidrug-resistant TB. Per the intent to treat analysis, the success rate for participants receiving the highest dosage of linezolid (1200mg for 6 months) was 93%. The efficacy level was similarly high in the remaining arms, reported as 89% among participants receiving 1200mg of linezolid for 2 months, 91% for those receiving 600mg of linezolid for 6 months, and 84% among those receiving 600mg of linezolid for 2 months. Dosing of bedaquiline and pretomanid was consistent across the four arms.

Adverse reactions reported in at least 10% of trial participants included peripheral neuropathy (38% of those receiving 1200mg of linezolid for six months; 24% of those receiving 1200mg of linezolid for two months; 24% of those receiving 600mg of linezolid for six months; 13% of those receiving 600mg of linezolid for two months). An evaluation of myelosuppression, as manifest as anemia, found that patients had decreased hemoglobin levels related to linezolid exposure (22% of those receiving 1200mg of linezolid for six months; 17% of those receiving 1200mg of linezolid for two months; 2% of those receiving 600mg of linezolid for six months; 7% of those receiving 600mg of linezolid for two months).

“The results of this study are very reassuring. With a reduction in the dose and/or duration of linezolid, we can still offer patients a high chance of cure in only six months,” said Francesca Conradie, M.D., principal investigator for the ZeNix clinical trial as well as South Africa’s Clinical Access Program for the regimen.

TB Alliance plans to submit data from ZeNix to a peer-reviewed publication.

410 Replies to “TB Alliance ZeNix trial Show Effectiveness of BPaL Regimen for Highly Drug-Resistant TB”

  1. If you’ve played Grand Theft Auto online in the past, you’ll know that the accuracy of the reproduction of other players actions often leaves a lot to be desired.

  2. Hey very cool site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful information here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  3. I would really like to appreciate the endeavors you cash in on written this article. I’m going for the similar best product from you finding out in the foreseeable future as well. Actually your creative writing abilities has urged me to begin my very own blog now. Genuinely the blogging is distributing its wings rapidly. Your write down is often a fine illustration showing it.

  4. Nice piece of info! May I reference part of this on my blog if I post a backlink to this webpage? Thx.

  5. I found your blog through google and I must say, this is probably one of the best well prepared articles I have come across in a long time. I have bookmarked your site for more posts.

  6. Howdy I wanted to write a new remark on this page for you to be able to tell you just how much i actually Enjoyed reading this read. I have to run off to work but want to leave ya a simple comment. I saved you So will be returning following work in order to go through more of yer quality posts. Keep up the good work.

  7. I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye -.

  8. I dont think I’ve read anything like this before. So good to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. cheers for starting this up. This blog is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality.

  9. Thanks for some other great post. Where else may anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal method of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such information.

  10. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that.|

  11. VBET is an award-winning sports betting and gaming operator that partners with BetConstruct to offer its players the opportunity to bet on growing range

  12. The post is absolutely fantastic! Lots of great info and inspiration, both of which we all need! Also like to admire the time and effort you put into your website and detailed info you offer! I will bookmark your website!

  13. However, it is virtually all done with tongues rooted solidly in cheeks, and everyone has absolutely nothing but absolutely love for his or her friendly neighborhood scapegoat. The truth is, he is not just a pushover. He is basically that special variety of person strong enough to take all of that good natured ribbing for exactly what it is.

  14. have already been reading ur blog for a couple of days. really enjoy what you posted. btw i will be doing a report about this topic. do you happen to know any great websites or forums that I can find out more? thanks a lot.

  15. The post is absolutely great! Lots of great info and inspiration, both of which we all need! Also like to admire the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer! I will bookmark your website!

  16. Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail on the head. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  17. A great post without any doubt.

  18. American Crisis Prevention and Management Association Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification course can be conveniently done online or in the classroom. Also known as AB 508 certification training, mab certification online or managing aggressive behavior is a training for healthcare professionals, teachers, law enforcement agents., and other individuals that come in contact with potential aggression. Nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals receive CE credits at the end of the course. Enroll now at https://crisispreventionmanagement.com/mab-management-of-assaultive-behavior

  19. Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was searching for! “…obstacles do not exist to be surrendered to, but only to be broken.” by Adolf Hitler.

  20. I definitely wanted to compose a brief word to be able to appreciate you for the superb tips you are showing at this website. My prolonged internet research has at the end been honored with high-quality knowledge to go over with my partners. I ‘d mention that we website visitors actually are unequivocally lucky to exist in a decent site with many awesome professionals with insightful secrets. I feel very much lucky to have come across your entire web pages and look forward to plenty of more pleasurable moments reading here. Thank you again for a lot of things.

  21. Good post. I be taught something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It is going to all the time be stimulating to read content from other writers and observe a bit of one thing from their store. I’d choose to make use of some with the content material on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a link in your net blog. Thanks for sharing.

  22. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂

  23. Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¦ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What an ideal site.

  24. You could definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart. “In order to preserve your self-respect, it is sometimes necessary to lie and cheat.” by Robert Byrne.

  25. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However think of if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site could certainly be one of the best in its niche. Awesome blog!

  26. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

  27. I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thx again

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.