title: An update on the use of rifapentine for tuberculosis therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberculosis (TB) remains rampant throughout the world, in large part due to the lengthy treatment times of current therapeutic options. Rifapentine, a rifamycin antibiotic, is currently approved for intermittent dosing in the treatment of TB. Recent animal studies have shown that more frequent administration of rifapentine could shorten treatment times, for both latent and active TB infection. However, these results were not replicated in a subsequent human clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review analyses the evidence for more frequent administration of rifapentine and the reasons for the apparent lack of efficacy in shortening treatment times in human patients. Inhaled delivery is discussed as a potential option to achieve the therapeutic effect of rifapentine by overcoming the barriers associated with oral administration of this drug. Avenues for developing an inhalable form of rifapentine are also presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rifapentine is a promising active pharmaceutical ingredient with potential to accelerate treatment of TB if delivered by inhaled administration. Progression of current fundamental work on inhaled anti-tubercular therapies to human clinical trials is essential for determining their role in future treatment regimens. While the ultimate goal for global TB control is a vaccine, a short and effective treatment option is equally crucial.
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney, Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School , NSW 2037, Sydney , Australia +61 2 91140352 ; daniela.traini@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: John Gar Yan
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Xiaoxue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Traini
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D012293:Rifampin; C018421:rifapentine