A pairwise approach to revitalize β-lactams for the treatment of TB

Abstract

ABSTRACT The dual β-lactam approach has been successfully applied to overcome target redundancy in nontuberculous mycobacteria. Surprisingly, this approach has not been leveraged for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, despite the high conservation of peptidoglycan synthesis. Through a comprehensive screen of oral β-lactam pairs, we have discovered that cefuroxime strongly potentiates the bactericidal activity of tebipenem and sulopenem—advanced clinical candidates—and amoxicillin, at concentrations achieved clinically. β-lactam pairs thus have the potential to reduce TB treatment duration.