Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) have made significant progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection. The team, led by Professor Smriti Mehra, Ph.D., has demonstrated that a promising TB therapy does not interfere with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) used to treat HIV. 

A Critical Breakthrough 

Tuberculosis remains a global health concern, causing over 1.3 million deaths annually. For individuals with HIV, TB poses an even greater threat due to their compromised immune systems. The new therapy targets an immune system protein called IDO (Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase), which normally suppresses immune responses. 

How It Works 

By inhibiting IDO, the therapy aims to enhance the body’s ability to fight TB. This approach has already shown success in cancer treatments and has demonstrated improved control of TB when used alongside antibiotics. 

Safe for HIV Patients 

The study, conducted with nonhuman primates at the Southwest National Primate Research Center with both TB and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), revealed that the IDO inhibitor does not interfere with cART. This is crucial for developing a treatment that can help patients battling both HIV and TB. 

Next Steps 

Researchers plan to study how the inhibitor performs when used in conjunction with both antibiotics and cART together – the standard treatment regimen for patients with HIV and active TB. Long-term studies are also needed to confirm the absence of unintended side effects. 

Potential for Rapid Approval 

The IDO inhibitor is already FDA-approved for use in cancer patients, which could accelerate its potential approval for TB/HIV treatment compared to developing an entirely new drug. This research represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of TB and HIV co-infection, offering hope for more effective treatments in the future.