Scientists have discovered a link between a number of drugs and tuberculosis reactivation

Medications used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis can reactivate latent tuberculosis. This was announced on Wednesday, July 23, at the First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University after research conducted jointly with colleagues from the Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology in Novosibirsk.

The researchers studied tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is a protein that plays a role both in the immune system and in triggering inflammatory reactions.

"TNF can perform both protective and pathological functions. It is necessary to trigger an immune response, but under certain conditions it can itself increase inflammation and contribute to the destruction of lung tissue. We tried to systematize the knowledge about what this balance depends on," she said in an interview. "Газете.ги " Senior researcher at the Laboratory of Immune Engineering, co-author of the study Alina Alshevskaya.

One of the roles of TNF in the body is the activation of macrophages. This is the name given to cells capable of destroying Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause tuberculosis. However, medications used in the treatment of arthritis and psoriasis contain TNF blockers that interfere with the normal functioning of this protein. Thus, protective functions decrease and tuberculosis may develop.

However, an increased level of TNF in the body can also harm it. The scientists noted that additional studies are needed to clarify the data obtained.

Precise frame: the first printed laryngeal implant in Russia will accelerate the rehabilitation of cancer patients

How 3D printing simplifies one of the most difficult surgical operations for head and neck cancer

Earlier, on July 19, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the use of chemotherapy in the fight against malignant cancer cells may lead to the spread of cancer from the primary tumor site to distant organs due to the awakening of dormant cancer cells.

Prior to that, on July 16, Nidal Salim, director of the Institute of Oncology at the European Medical Center (EMC), said that theranostics provides stable remission in 30% of patients and a positive response to treatment in 60% of cases.