"Enormous benefit" of new TB developments

New developments in research regarding TB could have a huge effect on treatments of the disease in the future, a study has shown.

The latest vaccines, drug regimens and diagnostic tools being researched may contribute to a 13 per cent to 71 per cent decrease in TB cases by 2050, according to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre.

However, the effectiveness of each vaccine and whether the treatments are used in combination or singly will affect the accuracy of this prediction.

Study leader M Elizabeth Betz Halloran wrote in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science: "Combinations of the new technologies currently under development could have an enormous benefit.

"However, there is a big difference between what is in the current portfolio and what could be achieved by going beyond it. To achieve further improvements, technologies and delivery strategies not currently under development should be considered."

The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics and the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development are two of the organisations currently developing new treatments.

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