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Science 14 January 2005:
Vol. 307. no. 5707, p. 177
DOI: 10.1126/science.307.5707.177b
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This Week in Science

There is an urgent need for new drugs to combat the advancing scourge of tuberculosis that is inexorably linked with the HIV epidemic. Andries et al. (p. 223, published online 9 December 2004; see the cover and Perspective by Cole and Alzari) have developed a lead compound from a series of recently patented diarylquinolines, known as R207910. This compound has good selectivity and potency for several mycobacterial species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and retains activity against M. tuberculosis strains that are singly or multiply resistant to commonly used drugs. In contrast to other anti-mycobacterial drugs, R207910 targets an adenosine triphosphate synthase. R207910 enhanced mycobacterial killing in a mouse model of established infection compared with isoniazid, rifampicin, or pyrazinamide, which are used in current therapeutic regimens. It is hoped that this new drug candidate will allow the treatment of tuberculosis in as little as 2 months.




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