Interleukin-12 as successful adjuvant in tuberculosis treatment.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) proved to be an effective and successful adjuvant to a standard antituberculotic medication in a patient suffering from progressive clinical tuberculosis (TB). IL-12 is a potent enhancer of interferon-gamma production which is necessary for killing intracellular bacteria like mycobacteria. This patient's TB was progressive, although sensitivity to first-line antituberculotics was proven and medication was given as directly observed therapy over more than 8 months. The 3-month adjuvant therapy with IL-12 significantly and convincingly improved results. It is believed that this case, the first in the literature to describe adjuvant interleukin-12 therapy in tuberculosis, strongly encourages the study of adjuvant interleukin-12 therapy on a more systematic basis.