Gene-guided N-acetyl Cysteine for Prophylaxis of Anti-tuberculous Drug- Induced Hepatitis

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 4
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-80
SponsorMahidol University

About this trial

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern in Thailand and globally, especially in tropical regions, with pulmonary TB being predominant. Besides affecting the lungs, TB can also impact extrapulmonary organs. Standard TB treatment involves a combination of drugs administered for at least 6 months, but it can cause adverse effects such as hepatitis. Hepatotoxicity, occurring in 20-60% of patients, is commonly linked to isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide. Slow acetylators of the NAT2 gene are particularly susceptible. Previous research suggests N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may mitigate hepatotoxicity, especially among slow acetylators. A recent study by Kittichai Samaithongcharoen and team showed that NAC reduced hepatotoxicity incidence significantly among slow acetylators. This underscores the potential of NAC in preventing drug-induced hepatotoxicity in TB treatment, warranting further investigation against standard treatment protocols.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Patients aged 18 - 80 years old.

Newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients (both pulmonary and extrapulmonary).

Received standard anti-tuberculosis medication according to standard regimens (2HRZE/4HR, 2HRE/7HR).

Willing to participate in the research

Disqualifiers

Infected with HIV.

Severe liver dysfunction classified as Child-Pugh B or C.

Chronic untreated liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C, alcoholic liver disease.

Abnormal liver function tests including AST > 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (48 U/L), ALT > 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (55 U/L), ALP > upper limit of normal (110 U/L), Total bilirubin > upper limit of normal (1.2 mg/dL).

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • N acetyl cysteine

    Drug

    1,200 mg/day for 8 weeks in NAT2 gene testing group and NAT2 gene phenotype is identified as slow acetylator.

Treatment groups

116 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: NAT2 gene testing groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Non NAT2 gene testingNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Prevalence of hepatitis at 8 weeks

To study the efficacy of administering N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to prevent drug-induced hepatitis at 8 weeks from anti-tuberculosis medication using gene-guided therapy compared to conventional therapy. Significant hepatitis was defined as elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than 5 times of baseline levels or Total bilirubin(TB) more than 2.5 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL)

Time frame
8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

Prevalence of hepatitis at 2 weeks

To study the efficacy of administering N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to prevent drug-induced hepatitis at 2 weeks from anti-tuberculosis medication using gene-guided therapy compared to conventional therapy. Significant hepatitis was defined as elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than 5 times of baseline levels or Total bilirubin(TB) more than 2.5 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL)

Time frame
2 weeks

Other outcomes

1

Prevalence of hepatitis at 24 weeks

To study the efficacy of administering N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to prevent drug-induced hepatitis at 24 weeks from anti-tuberculosis medication using gene-guided therapy compared to conventional therapy. Significant hepatitis was defined as elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than 5 times of baseline levels or Total bilirubin(TB) more than 2.5 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL)

Time frame
24 weeks

Sponsors and contacts

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