Combined therapy for tuberculosis and HIV-1: the challenge for drug discovery

Drug Discov Today. 2007 Nov;12(21-22):980-9. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2007.08.001. Epub 2007 Sep 27.

Abstract

Combining drug therapies for dual infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1 is made complex by high pill burdens, shared drug toxicities, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, co-morbid diseases and drug resistance in both bacillus and virus. Recently, novel anti-tubercular and anti-retroviral drugs have bolstered the tuberculosis-HIV drug pipelines and may help ameliorate these difficulties. This review article discusses the reasons for current problems of therapy for dual infection. It also identifies promising agents, which may significantly improve co-therapy and thus diminish the great morbidity and mortality of these two pandemics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Drug Resistance, Viral
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / etiology
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Antitubercular Agents