Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are Mycobacteriaceae species that can cause the onset of illness in humans.
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NTM are present naturally in the soil and air but are not the causative agents of tuberculosis. These bacteria have therefore been classified as nontuberculosis to differentiate them from the tuberculosis-causing bacteria, also known as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
Challenges in studying NTM
Despite the fact that NTM species are everywhere in the environment and in many countries, the conditions they cause are not reportable. The key reason is that person-to-person transmission of the disease cannot be substantiated. As a result, the condition is officially not a concern to public health.
Generally, because the condition has not raised many “red flags,” investigators have also not made much movement towards comprehending the significance of the condition, determining preventive measures, or optimizing treatment protocols.
Moreover, it is often difficult to pinpoint the location and timing of personal exposure. It is difficult to understand why certain members of the population develop NTM infections, while others do not.
There is a lack of clinical trials on the subject that have been undertaken and those that have, for the most part, have been small and non-randomized. These trials do indicate that the rates of recurring NTM pulmonary disease are high. Researchers are not sure if treatment failures or re-infection are causing certain people to develop the disease again.
Research stimulus
A growing number of NTM conditions should spur the development of reliable diagnostics and novel medicines, which would address the disease. Current small clinical trials must give way to larger-scale randomized trials. Such studies would facilitate optimum drug discovery, which would involve the creation of medicines that would provide the best health outcomes with the least toxicity, as well as the development of the best treatment protocols.
It is generally believed that these organisms may cause less harm if how they evolve and are transmitted is better understood. Even research related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis might be applicable to NTM research and yield benefits for treating NTM. It might be possible to design a blood assay similar to a tuberculosis diagnostic.
One company, Insmed, located in Bridgewater, New Jersey in the United States, is developing and investigating treatments for rare lung diseases. To this end, Ismed is conducting a randomized, phase III, open-label study, to determine the effectiveness of liposomal amikacin for inhalation as part of a several-drug treatment plan for patients with NTM disease caused by the mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). In addition to determining how helpful the therapy would be for current treatment plans, the research would shed light on any side effects amikacin might cause.
A strategic plan
One organization, NTM Info and Research Inc., located in Coral Gables, Florida, is focused specifically on improving the lives of those infected with NTM, partly through research and education efforts. As part of its strategic plan, the company sponsors Rapid Information Pilot Studies (RIPS), which provides information on important research needed to obtain funding for large-scale research.
In addition, NTM Info and Research Inc. supports multi-centered efforts aimed at helping those suffering from NTM, as well as helping clinicians and NTM scientists. The organization also works with various patient support groups. NTM Info and Research funds or co-funds analyze patient vulnerabilities and study the sources of and treatments currently available for NTM. It examines the prevalence of the disease in the USA.
The RIPS program funds short-term scientific investigations with the aim of generating longer-term research. Individual studies may receive funding of up to $50,000 each and are completed in a year or less. The research results form the basis for funding large scale, multi-centered studies. Research completed to date includes Pulmonary NTM in Showers and the Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium abscessus.
Currently-recruiting clinical trials involve identifying priorities and roadmaping research into bronchiectasis. Additionally, a survey is being conducted on the use of proton pump inhibitors for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease and related conditions. Information gained in this survey may determine future NTM treatments.
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