Evaluating Celecoxib Activity in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: A Whole Blood Bactericidal Activity Study in Healthy Volunteers

The whole blood bactericidal activity (WBA) assay is an ex vivo model for measuring the combined effects of administered drugs, host factors and strain factors on mycobacterial sterilisation. If performed in parallel with PK measurements, the method can be used to evaluate the effect of drugs throughout the dosing cycle. Celecoxib is a COX-2 inhibitor with immuno-modulatory properties important in the host defence against tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this trial is to investigate the effect on WBA of manipulation of the host response to TB using celecoxib, in combination with established TB drugs.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged over 21 years and below 60 years old
• Male or female willing to comply with the study visits and procedures
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• Body weight below 50kg
• Clinical signs of active TB in the opinion of the investigator
• Previous hypersensitivity, intolerance or allergy to rifampicin, pyrazinamide, COX-2 inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or sulfonamides
• Current use of any drugs or medication known to have an interaction with rifampicin, pyrazinamide or celecoxib
• Current use or use in the last 2 weeks of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or COX-2 inhibitors
• Current use or use in the last 2 weeks of any drugs, over the counter or herbal preparations that are known or potential inhibitors or inducers of cytochrome P450 enzymes
• Evidence of renal or hepatic dysfunction or any clinically significant deviation from normal during screening including laboratory determinations
• Known hepatic disease, recent hepatitis (within last 6 months) or alcohol abuse
• Known cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke or current cardiovascular risk factors
• Known peptic ulcer disease, previous gastrointestinal bleed or current risk factors for gastrointestinal events
• Acute or previous gout, acute porphyria
• Any other significant condition that would, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise the volunteer's safety or outcome in the trial
• Current participation in other clinical intervention trial or research protocol