Efflux pump inhibitors as a promising adjunct therapy against drug resistant tuberculosis: a new strategy to revisit mycobacterial targets and repurpose old drugs

INTRODUCTION: In 2018, an estimated 377,000 people developed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), urging for new effective treatments. In the last years, it has been accepted that efflux pumps play an important role in the evolution of drug resistance. Strategies are required to mitigate the consequences of the activity of efflux pumps. AREAS COVERED: drug repurposing. EXPERT OPINION: is restricted due to toxicity. In a time when new drugs are needed to fight MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant TB, cost-effective strategies to identify safer efflux inhibitors should be implemented in drug discovery programs.