Host-Directed Immunotherapy for Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an extremely contagious disease that affects approximately one-third of the global population. It stands as one of the primary causes of mortality and morbidity resulting from infectious diseases. The lack of a definitive treatment regimen for TB, free of side effects, is a major concern, especially considering the raise of multi-drug-resistant strains that pose a significant risk to human health. Remarkably, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, has evolved strategies for manipulating the host immune response to evade the immune surveillance system. Addressing the TB epidemic requires urgent efforts to develop new therapeutics and preventive measures. It becomes imperative to identify immune modulators that can effectively interact with the host immune system and the TB pathogen. Such interventions hold the potential for improving clinical outcomes by reducing host tissue damage resulting from an excessive inflammatory response and decreasing the burden of TB bacteria. Currently, most therapeutic interventions for TB focus on modulating the host immune response to mitigate the detrimental inflammatory reactions triggered by the disease. Achieving a well-balanced immune response, where inflammation and anti-inflammation are appropriately regulated, is crucial for containing the infection and preventing damage to host tissues caused by the disease pathology. This chapter aims to explore various host-directed immune therapies available for the management of tuberculosis. By leveraging these immune-modulating strategies, we can enhance the body’s defences against TB, leading to more favourable clinical outcomes and a reduction in the global burden of the disease.