by Alonso-Vega C, Urbina JA, Sanz S, Pinazo MJ, Pinto JJ, Gonzalez VR, Rojas G, Ortiz L, Garcia W, Lozano D, Soy D, Maldonado RA, Nagarkatti R, Debrabant A, Schijman A, Thomas MC, López MC, Michael K, Ribeiro I, Gascon J, Torrico F, Almeida IC. BMJ Open 2021;11(12):e052897. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052897
Summary: Benznidazole and nifurtimox are the only approved drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease, however, a high incidence of adverse events hampers their widespread use. Pharmacokinetic data for benznidazole suggests that a lower dosing frequency, combined with standard or extended treatment duration, might have the same or better efficacy than the current standard of care for either drug, with fewer adverse events. The authors describe the rationale and design of the New ThErapies and Biomarkers for ChagaS infEctiOn (TESEO) study. This open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial with six treatment arms aims to compare the safety and efficacy of two new regimens of benznidazole and nifurtimox in adults with chronic Chagas disease with the current standard of care.