Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, particularly with the rise of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). For years, the standard approach to treating TB has followed a “one-size-fits-all” regimen, but that may soon change, thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Susanna Brighenti. As an immunologist at Karolinska Institutet with extensive expertise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Susanna, who has previously received funding from the PAR Foundation and is receiving it again, is pushing the boundaries of how we understand and treat TB. Her research could pave the way for more personalized and effective therapies.
Dr. Susanna, is at the forefront of research into tuberculosis (TB) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Over the years, she has made valuable contributions to understanding how immune responses become impaired in TB patients and has focused on developing host-directed therapies (HDTs) that aim to restore immune function and combat drug resistance.
Brighenti’s research this time seeks to address the limitations of traditional TB treatment. Given the varying symptoms and disease severity among TB patients, a more tailored treatment strategy is necessary to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Her project, “Towards Precision Medicine in Tuberculosis: Unraveling Immune Endotypes for Targeted Host-Directed Therapies,” focuses on developing personalized therapies by identifying immune endotypes—specific immune profiles in TB patients that can be targeted for more effective treatment.
This project is particularly crucial in the global fight against MDR-TB, where the standard treatment protocols have become less effective due to the rise of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By studying immune responses and clinical phenotypes in TB patients, Brighenti aims to develop HDTs that not only optimize the use of antibiotics but also enhance the immune system’s ability to fight TB more effectively.
A key feature of Brighenti’s project is its comparative approach, involving two diverse patient cohorts from Stockholm, Sweden, a low-endemic area, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a high-endemic region. By studying these 75-patient cohorts, the research will compare TB disease manifestations and immune responses across different endemic settings. This approach will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of how TB affects the immune system and how immune function can be improved, especially in regions where MDR-TB is prevalent.
Brighenti’s project this time aims to develop personalized TB treatments by combining clinical and molecular data. This precision medicine approach has the potential not only to improve outcomes for TB patients but also to provide insights that could influence treatment strategies for other bacterial infections, particularly in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance.
In addition to her work on TB, Brighenti has explored novel immunomodulatory compounds, including epigenetic therapies, which aim to boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections. Her research has contributed to advancing strategies against AMR, with a focus on immune-enhancing therapies. By collaborating with countries heavily impacted by TB, such as Ethiopia and Bangladesh, Brighenti has demonstrated her commitment to addressing the global health challenges posed by drug-resistant infections.
Dr. Susanna Brighenti’s research group at the Center for Infectious Medicine (CIM) at ANA Futura and Karolinska Institutet Campus Flemingsberg. From left: Susanna Brighenti (PI), PhD student Mira Akber and Dr. Marco Loreti.