Opportunities for Overcoming <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Drug Resistance: Emerging Mycobacterial Targets and Host-Directed Therapy

• Main Authors: Eveline Torfs, Tatiana Piller, Paul Cos, Davie Cappoen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>; drug resistance; antimycobacterial; novel targets; non-lethal targets; host-directed therapy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/12/2868

The ever-increasing incidence of drug-resistant <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infections has invigorated the focus on the discovery and development of novel treatment options. The discovery and investigation of essential mycobacterial targets is of utmost importance. In addition to the discovery of novel targets, focusing on non-lethal pathways and the use of host-directed therapies has gained interest. These adjunctive treatment options could not only lead to increased antibiotic susceptibility of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>, but also have the potential to avoid the emergence of drug resistance. Host-directed therapies, on the other hand, can also reduce the associated lung pathology and improve disease outcome. This review will provide an outline of recent opportunities.