The Union made the following statement today in response to the World Health Organization’s announcement that it has concluded its review of interim data from the STREAM Stage 1 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) randomised clinical trial. STREAM Stage 1 tested the safety and efficacy of a shortened, nine-month antibiotic regimen used to treat “uncomplicated” multidrug-resistant TB against the standard 20-24 month treatment regimen.
In October 2017, in response to the release of interim data from STREAM Stage 1, WHO decided to review its current guidance for the use of the nine-month regimen. The findings announced today concluded that no change is necessary to WHO’s current guidance for the use of the nine-month regimen based on the initial STREAM data.
The Union has also carefully reviewed the preliminary results of STREAM Stage 1 and other available data and supports this latest WHO guidance on the use of the shortened regimen.
“We look forward to working with countries to implement the shortened regimen,” said Dr Paula I Fujiwara, Scientific Director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. “We also look forward to emerging evidence from other research, including final STREAM Stage 1 results anticipated this year and STREAM Stage 2, to help further guide the field toward optimal regimens for treating MDR-TB.”