Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a 4-month Daily Regimen (2HZPM/2HPM) for Treatment of Pulmonary TB

Shorter regimens have the potential to impact on TB control by reducing TB incidence and mortality, and improve outcomes by increasing patient adherence to treatments and decreasing duration to cure, in addition to reducing costs to the health system and the patient. The purpose of this prospective, three year, single arm study is to evaluate whether a short course, four-month regimen containing rifapentine and moxifloxacin (2HZPM/2HPM) are as effective and/or as tolerable as the standard six-month regimen for the treatment of drug-susceptible, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). A historical group receiving the standard six-month regimen is used as control at a ratio of 1:2. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of rifapentine in Asian patients. Analysis of of histocompatibility leucocyte antigen (HLA) associations with adverse events and changes in biomarkers will be done.

Inclusion criteria

• Suspected newly diagnosed pulmonary TB plus one of the following: a) at least one sputum specimen positive for acid-fast bacilli on smear microscopy OR b) at least one sputum specimen positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis by culture or "Gene Xpert MTB/RIF" testing, with rifamycin resistance not detected, OR c) histopathologic findings compatible with mycobacterial infection including a positive acid-fast stain
• Patient with a history of being untreated for 3 years after cure from a previous episode of TB can be included.
• Age 20 years or older
• For women of childbearing potential, a negative pregnancy test at or within seven (7) days prior to screening is required, and must agree to practice a barrier method of contraception during study drug treatment, or be surgically sterilized or have an intrauterine contraceptive device in place.
• Laboratory parameters performed at or within 14 days prior to enrollment:

• Serum or plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) less than or equal to 3 times the upper limit of normal
• Serum or plasma total bilirubin less than or equal to 2.5 times the upper limit of normal
• Serum or plasma creatinine level less than or equal to 2 times the upper limit of normal or Creatinine clearance (CrCl) level greater than 30 mL/min.
• Serum or plasma potassium level greater than or equal to 3.5 milliequivalent/L
• Hemoglobin level of 7.0 g/dL or greater
• Platelet count of 100,000/mm3 or greater
• Patient signed a written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Unable to take oral medications.
• Previously enrolled in this study.
• Received any investigational drug in the past 3 months.
• More than 14 days of systemic treatment with any antituberculous drugs preceding initiation of study drugs.
• Known history of prolonged QT syndrome.
• Suspected or documented TB involving the central nervous system and/or bones and/or joints, and/or miliary tuberculosis and/or pericardial tuberculosis.
• Weight less than 40.0 kg.
• Known allergy or intolerance to any of the study medications.
• Individuals will be excluded from enrollment if, at the time of enrollment, their M. tuberculosis isolate is already known to be resistant to any one or more of the following: rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, or fluoroquinolones.
• Medical conditions, including HIV infection and others conditions that, in the investigator's judgment, make study participation not in the individual's best interest.
• Late exclusions: Drug-resistant TB by either rapid sputum based test (Gene Expert) or resistance testing using an indirect susceptibility test in liquid culture to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide or resistance to moxifloxacin or rifapentine by microdilution agar proportion test.