TB-CAPT progress meeting and data unblinding
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania – October 02 - 04, 2023
From 02 – 04 October 2023 the TB-CAPT consortium convened for a face-to-face progress meeting in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, hosted by our local partners from Ifakara Health Institute.
On day 1, a high-level summary of the overall status and timeline of remaining project activities set the scene for in-depth presentations of the individual work packages. Following a presentation on the primary analysis for the TB-CAPT XDR study, which evaluates diagnostic accuracy and feasibility of the Xpert MTB/XDR cartridge in comparison to the current standards of care, we looked at the status of the ongoing EXULTANT trial. EXULTANT investigates the added value of expanded diagnostic testing for hospitalised people living with HIV. Recruitment for this trial is in full swing at the moment, aiming for completion in the next months. Progress updates of the two additional work packages “capacity building” and “dissemination” rounded up the first meeting day.
Day 2 saw the data unblinding session for the TB-CAPT CORE trial, which looked at how modern TB diagnostics can be applied in primary healthcare clinics, and their potential impact on patient care. The results were very exciting and will be presented at the upcoming EDCTP Forum.
The last meeting day began with a site visit to clinics that contributed to the TB-CAPT CORE study. All visitors, especially clinical staff from partner sites in South Africa and Mozambique, appreciated the opportunity to see in person how the day-to-day work of their colleagues is carried out. Several work sessions that took place in smaller groups in the afternoon concluded the meeting.
In summary, the TB-CAPT consortium meeting was a very successful event. It provided an opportunity for partners to come together, discuss progress, and share lessons learned. The results of the CORE trial are particularly exciting, and we look forward to sharing them with the wider TB community at the upcoming EDCTP Forum in Paris, France, on November 7-10.
About TB-CAPT
TB-CAPT is a large collaborative research project funded by the Second European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Programme (EDCTP2) with nearly 6 mio EUR. The project includes a series of clinical trials in Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa that aim to evaluate the impact of diagnostic interventions on outcomes, including the effects of expanding TB testing strategies to PLHIV. The trials have been designed to consider local epidemiology, as well as existing infrastructure, and compare new strategies with current standards of care.
The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Programme was established in 2003 and is a public-public partnership between countries in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, and the European Union. EDCTP2 is implemented as part of the 8th European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, and governed by the participating African and European countries. It supports all clinical trial phases (I-IV) including health services optimisation research. Research and regulatory capacity development remain integrated in the research funding strategy in order to strengthen the conditions for conducting clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa.
Learn more about TB-CAPT on the project website.