Inhibition of Host Heme Oxygenase-1 as an Adjunctive Treatment to Improve the Outcome of Conventional Antibiotic Chemotherapy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) Infection
This invention describes the adjunctive use of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitors to improve the outcome of conventional antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis. The existent standard of care requires prolonged administration of drug. Due to the long duration of treatment, methods that can more rapidly control tuberculosis in patients are clearly needed.
NIAID researchers have discovered that inhibition of host HO-1 reduces Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) growth in vivo and, more importantly, when used as an adjunct to conventional chemotherapy, results in a marked improvement in pulmonary bacterial control. In particular, it was found using a mouse model that HO-1 inhibitors enhance bacterial clearance when used in conjunction with conventional antibiotic therapy. Further, no obvious toxic side effects were found. Since this host-directed strategy does not directly target the pathogen itself, it may have an added advantage as a treatment for infections with antibiotic-resistant Mtb strains.
Licensing Contact:
James Robinson,
Email: james.robinson4@nih.gov
Phone: 301-761-7542
More information: https://www.ott.nih.gov/technology/e-174-2016