title: Sharpening nature's tools for efficient tuberculosis control: A review of the potential role and development of host-directed therapies and strategies for targeted respiratory delivery.
abstract: Centuries since it was first described, tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health issue. Despite ongoing holistic measures implemented by health authorities and a number of new oral treatments reaching the market, there is still a need for an advanced, efficient TB treatment. An adjunctive, host-directed therapy designed to enhance endogenous pathways and hence compliment current regimens could be the answer. The integration of drug repurposing, including synthetic and naturally occurring compounds, with a targeted drug delivery platform is an attractive development option. In order for a new anti-tubercular treatment to be produced in a timely manner, a multidisciplinary approach should be taken from the outset including stakeholders from academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and regulatory bodies keeping the patient as the key focus. Pre-clinical considerations for the development of a targeted host-directed therapy are discussed here.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and St. James's Hospital, D08 W9RT, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: gemmaoconnor@rcsi.ie.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and St. James's Hospital, D08 W9RT, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: gleesole@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gleeson
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland; SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CURAM), Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: aidanfmurphy@rcsi.ie.
authors.forename: Aidan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagan-Murphy
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CURAM), Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: scryan@rcsi.ie.
authors.forename: Sally-Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cryan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and St. James's Hospital, D08 W9RT, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: mary.osullivan@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and St. James's Hospital, D08 W9RT, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: jkeane@stjames.ie.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keane
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004345:Drug Industry; D006801:Humans; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
keywords: Adjunctive therapy; Ant-tubercular; Immunomodulation; Inhalation; Particle engineering; Pre-clinical testing; Targeted drug delivery; Vitamin