Revolutionizing Tuberculosis Treatment: Uncovering New Drugs and Breakthrough Inhibitors to Combat Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ACS Infect Dis. 2023 Dec 8;9(12):2369-2385. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00436. Epub 2023 Nov 9.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health threat that causes significant mortality. This review explores chemotherapeutics that target essential processes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, such as DNA replication, protein synthesis, cell wall formation, energy metabolism, and proteolysis. We emphasize the need for new drugs to treat drug-resistant strains and shorten the treatment duration. Emerging targets and promising inhibitors were identified by examining the intricate biology of TB. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the search for anti-TB drugs with a focus on newly validated targets and inhibitors. We aimed to contribute to efforts to combat TB and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; arabinogalactan biosynthesis; chemical inhibitors; drug development; drug resistance; mycolic acid biosynthesis; novel targets; peptidoglycan biosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / metabolism
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • DNA Replication
  • Humans
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis*
  • Tuberculosis* / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis* / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents