Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that usually attack the lungs. About a quarter of the world's population carries latent TB that doesn't cause symptoms, and roughly 10 million people develop active disease each year. Standard treatment takes at least six months with multiple antibiotics, and drug-resistant strains require longer, more toxic regimens.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing shorter treatment regimens that combine new and repurposed antibiotics, including pretomanid and bedaquiline for drug-resistant TB. Researchers are studying host-directed therapies that boost the immune response, new vaccines beyond BCG, and ways to prevent latent TB from activating. Work also focuses on better diagnostics and treating TB in people with HIV.
Shorter regimens
New drug combinations aim to cure TB in four months or less instead of six to nine. Trials are testing rifapentine-based regimens and novel combinations that could simplify treatment and improve completion rates.
Drug-resistant TB
Bedaquiline and pretomanid, both FDA-approved in recent years, form the backbone of new regimens for multidrug-resistant TB. Trials are refining these combinations and testing all-oral regimens that avoid toxic injections.
Host-directed therapies
Some trials add drugs like metformin or aspirin to standard antibiotics, aiming to help the immune system clear bacteria faster. The approach could shorten treatment or improve outcomes in severe TB.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on TB diagnosis confirmation, drug resistance pattern, HIV status, prior TB treatment history, and liver and kidney function.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment shortening trials — Testing whether new drug combinations can cure TB in four months instead of six, reducing pill burden and improving adherence.
- Drug-resistant TB trials — Studies of all-oral regimens for multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB, often using bedaquiline, pretomanid, or linezolid.
- Latent TB trials — Testing shorter preventive treatments for people with latent TB, aiming to stop infection from becoming active disease.
- Host-directed therapy trials — Adding immune-modulating drugs to standard antibiotics to help the body clear TB bacteria more effectively.
- Vaccine trials — Testing new TB vaccines for prevention or as adjunct therapy, since BCG provides limited protection in adults.
Recently added Tuberculosis trials
Effect of Mycobacterial Infection on Immune Status
This study, titled "Effect of Mycobacterial Infection on Immune Status" (EMIIS), investigates the immune-driven mechanisms of mycobacterial infections, focusing on the dynamic immune characteristics of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections, and tuberculous pleurisy. Mycobacterial infections (including the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and nontuberculous mycobacteria) remain a major global public health threat. EMIIS is a single-center, randomized, single-blind,prospective study. The study recruited 120 participants, divided into groups of healthy individuals/community-acquired pneumonia patients, active pulmonary tuberculosis patients, latent tuberculosis infection patients, tuberculous pleurisy patients, and nontuberculous mycobacteria patients. Blood samples were collected from all groups within 3 days before treatment and 2-3 months after treatment. Pleural effusion samples were additionally collected from the tuberculous pleurisy group within 3 days before treatment and 2 months after treatment. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was collected from the nontuberculous mycobacteria group. Utilizing mass cytometry (CyTOF) and multi-dimensional indicators, the study aims to elucidate the immune-driven mechanisms of mycobacterial infections and provide new strategies for individualized treatment.
A 15-year Cohort Study on Risk Factors of Mortality in Patients With Intestinal Tuberculosis
This study adopts a combined design of retrospective cohort study followed by prospective observational study, which is conducted at Beijing Chest Hospital. The study first collects and analyzes the data of intestinal tuberculosis patients diagnosed and followed up in the hospital from 2011-1 to 2025-12 (a 15-year retrospective period) as the retrospective cohort, aiming to initially identify the risk factors associated with mortality in patients with intestinal tuberculosis. On the basis of the retrospective analysis results, the study will further carry out a prospective observational study, continuously enroll new intestinal tuberculosis patients, follow up their clinical status, treatment response and mortality outcomes for a certain period, and verify and supplement the risk factors identified in the retrospective stage. Clinical data, including demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, treatment regimens, and follow-up outcomes (mortality status), will be collected and sorted out in both stages. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses will be used to screen and verify potential risk factors (such as age, disease severity, comorbidities, and treatment compliance) that affect the mortality of patients with intestinal tuberculosis. The results of this study are expected to provide scientific evidence for optimizing the clinical management, risk assessment, and prognostic improvement of patients with intestinal tuberculosis, and further guide the formulation of targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
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