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Trial and Evolution: Chemotherapy for Tuberculosis in Britain, 1940-70 (Public lecture, University of York, 22 October 2015)

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Research Summary: Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Evolution in Britain (1940-70)

Topic: Historical analysis of tuberculosis drug therapy development and clinical practice
Key Therapeutic Agents: Streptomycin, multiple chemotherapy drug combinations; compared against bed-rest and thoracic surgery
Time Period & Context: 1940-1970 Britain; Medical Research Council clinical trials
Evidence Grade: Historical archival analysis demonstrating complexity beyond standard streptomycin-focused narratives.
Clinical Evolution: Three overlapping treatment modalities (chemotherapy, rest, surgery) eventually resolved toward drug monotherapy and combination regimens as optimal practice.
Key Finding: Determining best prescribing practice from multiple drug options proved clinically challenging; chemotherapy's curative potential was not immediately apparent.
Speaker: Clare Leeming-Latham; University of York public lecture, 22 October 2015

Speaker: Clare Leeming-Latham

Leeming-Latham Lecture Poster (PDF , 363kb)

Tuberculosis chemotherapy is often presented as a success story dominated by the use of streptomycin in Medical Research Council clinical trials. However, what this standard rhetoric overlooks is the complexity of tuberculosis drug therapy and the relationship between this and two alternative treatment options, bed-rest and thoracic surgery. Initially, these three treatment strands overlapped and the potential of chemotherapy as a curative option was not immediately apparent. This lecture explores the evolution of treatment using drugs alone, where determining best practice from a plethora of prescribing options was clinically challenging.

Directions for the Berrick Saul Building are available online.

Location: The Treehouse, Berrick Saul Building, University of York

Admission: Free and open to all

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