New 6-Month drug cocktail aims to tame resistant TB
NCT ID NCT07675954
First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 3 trial tests whether a 6-month combination of five drugs (bedaquiline, delamanid, delpazolid, levofloxacin, and pyrazinamide) works as well as standard treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in adults and adolescents aged 15 and older in South Africa. The study also checks if this new regimen causes fewer side effects. Participants are randomly assigned to either the experimental or standard treatment and followed for 12 months after therapy ends.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- MDR-END Plus regimen (bedaquiline, delamanid, delpazolid, levofloxacin, pyrazinamide)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a shorter, safer, and more tolerable treatment option for drug-resistant tuberculosis, potentially improving cure rates.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase 3 trial, but results may not confirm non-inferiority or safety advantages. The regimen may still cause side effects or require treatment extensions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 294 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2032
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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15 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Willing and able to voluntarily provide written informed consent to participate in the study prior to initiation of any study-related procedures. For participants under the age of 18 years, signed consent may be obtained from the child's biological parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver in the presence of the child. Minor participants must also be willing to provide written assent for study participation. 2. To the best of their knowledge and abilities at screening, participants must be willing and able to adhere to the complete follow-up schedule and all study procedures. 3. Male or female participants aged 15 years or older. 4. Participant requires treatment for pulmonary rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis based on one or more of the following: * Documented molecular drug susceptibility testing, such as TB nucleic acid amplification test, line probe assay, targeted next-generation sequencing, or culture-based phenotypic drug susceptibility testing on a sample obtained from the participant within 8 weeks prior to screening, even if rifampicin resistance is not re-confirmed on a sample obtained at screening; or * Documented or self-reported clinical symptoms or signs of pulmonary tuberculosis disease, with or without radiological changes consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis, and evidence of close contact with someone with confirmed rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis which, in the opinion of the site investigator, indicates significant exposure and a clinical decision has been made to treat the participant for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in routine care; or * Documented peripheral tuberculosis lymphadenitis or tuberculosis pleurisy with confirmed rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis on lymph node biopsy or pleural fluid aspiration, along with documented symptoms or signs suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis without culture confirmation. 5. Not yet started rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis treatment, or initiated rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis treatment in routine care within 10 days prior to enrolment. 6. Body weight of at least 30 kg. 7. Documented HIV status and/or willing to undergo HIV testing. 8. Participants living with HIV must be on antiretroviral therapy, or due to start antiretroviral therapy within 2 months of enrolment, regardless of CD4 count, provided they are clinically stable in the opinion of the site investigator. 9. Pregnant women in any trimester and breastfeeding women are eligible for inclusion. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Two or more of the following four drug groups cannot be used: bedaquiline or clofazimine; delamanid or pretomanid; linezolid or delpazolid; levofloxacin or moxifloxacin, due to any of the following: * Documented Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance in the current or prior treatment episode; * Prior exposure of 1 month or longer, unless protocol-defined exceptions are met; * Absolute contraindications to the relevant study drugs; * Use of prohibited concomitant medications within 14 days prior to enrolment. 2. Ongoing treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis for more than 10 days in the current tuberculosis episode. 3. Isolated extrapulmonary tuberculosis without pulmonary involvement. 4. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, with or without concurrent pulmonary tuberculosis, involving the central nervous system, osteoarticular sites, pericardium, or disseminated/miliary disease. 5. Any of the following laboratory or ECG abnormalities: A. Alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase \>120 U/L; B. Total bilirubin \>2.4 mg/dL; C. Estimated glomerular filtration rate by the CKD-EPI equation \<30 mL/min/1.73 m²; D. Serum potassium \<3.2 mmol/L; E. QTcF \>480 msec. 6. Atrioventricular block, second or third degree; current or previous history of clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias or long QT syndrome; or family history of long QT syndrome or sudden cardiac death. 7. Any condition or circumstance which, in the opinion of the investigator, based on information available at the time of screening, raises concerns regarding the participant's safety or ability to participate in the trial or the integrity of the study data.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
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Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Brooklyn Chest Hospital Trial Unit
Cape Town, Western Cape, 7405, South Africa
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Perinatal HIV Research Unit, PHRU-Matlosana, Tshepong Hospital
Klerksdorp, North West, 2571, South Africa
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Sputum DNA test aims to outsmart Drug-Resistant TB
- New hope for kids with Drug-Resistant TB: pretomanid dose study completed
- New 6-Month TB drug cocktail could replace Year-Long ordeal
- New hope against Drug-Resistant TB: phase II trial launches
- New 9-Month pill regimen could tackle Drug-Resistant TB