July 8, 2026
CHRU research has been published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics: Preserved Spermatogenesis and Hormonal Function in Men Receiving a Pretomanid Regimen (BPaMZ) for Pulmonary Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.
Pretomanid-containing regimens have helped transform drug-resistant TB treatment by enabling shorter, all-oral options. However, preclinical rodent data had raised concerns about possible testicular toxicity, making targeted human evidence essential.
In this phase 2 study of adult men with drug-resistant TB receiving BPaMZ, sperm parameters generally improved, reproductive hormones remained stable or improved, and there was no relationship between pretomanid exposure and changes in sperm count.
This matters because confirming whether a preclinical safety signal translates to humans is critical for patients, clinicians, regulators and future research. These findings provide reassurance that pretomanid, at clinical exposures, does not impair spermatogenesis or reproductive hormone function in adult men, and they help support paediatric studies, including access for boys, to move forward.
Thank you to the participants, study teams, collaborators and communities who made this work possible.