Research Team Spearheads the Implementation of the
BPaL Operational Research in the Philippines
Research Team Spearheads the Implementation of the BPaL Operational Research in the Philippines
The BPaL operational research (OR) is a two-year prospective cohort study using the regimen consisting of Bedaquiline (Bdq), Pretomanid (Pa) and Linezolid (Lzd) for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) or treatment-intolerant or non-responsive multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients. Led by the National TB Control Program (NTP), the study is spearheaded by a competent team of research specialists from the Lung Center of the Philippines Management Office (LCPMO) Research Unit composed of Dr. Irene Flores (Principal Investigator), Dr. Vincent Balanag (Co-investigator), Ms. Jana General (Research Coordinator), Ms. Jamie Cabasis (Research Specialist) and Ms. Rhoda Cervas (Research Specialist). It is supported by international and local partner agencies consisting of KNCV, International TB Research Center (ITRC), National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF).
Dr. Irene Flores (Principal Investigator) is the chairperson of the Central Luzon TB Medical Advisory Committee (TBMAC) and a member of the National TBMAC. She has extensive clinical experience having worked as a general physician for Romana Pangan District Hospital and Changi General Hospital (Singapore) prior to her engagement with the NTP. She is currently a PMDT physician in Jose B. Lingad Memorial General (JBL) Hospital. Concurrent to her role as clinician, she has been engaged in the conduct of several researches on infectious diseases notably the Bedaquiline Operational Research in the Philippines in 2017-2019. Dr Flores is a proficient clinician and the passionate leader of the team.
Dr. Vincent Balanag (Co-investigator) is currently the Executive Director of the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) and an active pulmonary specialist. He is a prolific researcher having led and published a number of international and local studies from 1992 up to present. His ongoing studies pertinent to TB include researches on Rosuvastatin Evaluation as Tuberculosis Treatment Adjunct (ROSETTA) and SimpliciTB Two-month Regimens Using Novel Combinations to Augment Treatment Effectiveness for Drug-Sensitive Tuberculosis (TRUNCATE-TB) which are both in collaboration with the National University Hospital of Singapore.
Ms. Jojana General (Research Coordinator) is a health and human rights and gender equity advocate and currently taking up Master of Science in Medical Anthropology in the University of the Philippines (Manila). Although relatively new in the TB field, she has been actively engaged as a researcher in the field of health policy and development under local and international institutions for the past 6 years. She recently co-authored a publication on TB and HIV. As coordinator, she provides diligent technical and administrative support for the team.
With her extensive experience in PMDT, Ms. Patrice Jamie Cabasis (Research Specialist) has significantly contributed to research in the NTP since 2015 providing technical assistance to pivotal MDR-TB operational researches such as the 9-Month Treatment Regimen for Drug-resistant Tuberculosis. Her involvement in various TB-related projects, trainings and initiatives solidifies her role as an effective researcher for the project.
Starting her TB work as a PMDT Clinic Nurse at the Kabalikat sa Kalusugan (KASAKA) back in 2008 under the Tropical Disease Foundation, Inc. and Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc. Ms. Maria Rhoda Cervas (Research Specialist) is a seasoned PMDT specialist. In 2016, she joined the LCPMO Research Team as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the 9-Month Treatment Regimen for Drug-resistant Tuberculosis and Bedaquiline OR Studies and has since been actively engaged in PMDT-related researches. With her highly specialized technical background, her inputs are undoubtedly an asset to the team.
The BPaL OR officially started enrolment of patients in May 2021 covering twelve OR sites across ten regions of the country. To date, the Research Team has enrolled five patients on this novel three-drug, all-oral regimen for highly drug-resistant TB patients.