April 23, 2018 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD Epstein-Barr Virus May Increase Risk of MS, Other Diseases, Study Reports Infection with the common Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a new report from theĀ Ā Cincinnati Childrenās Hospital Medical CenterĀ says. Besides MS, the Epstein-Barr virus also raises the risk for six other disorders: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory…
February 26, 2018 News by Catarina Silva Epstein-Barr Virus Found in Brain Cells of Many MS Patients, Study Reports United Arab Emirates scientists have found active Epstein-Barr virus in many multiple sclerosis patients’ brain cells, supporting the notion that it plays a role in the disease. The team found it in two types of brain cells ā astrocytes and microglia. The virus can be active or lie dormant in…
January 12, 2018 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Atara to Extend Phase 1 Trial of Potential Immunotherapy for All MS Forms to US Patients Atara Biotherapeutics has received a green light to enroll U.S. patients into a Phase 1 trial of ATA188 for progressive or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The study was initially launched in Australia, but with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) having cleared the companyās application, the trial…
October 24, 2017 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Atara Biotherapeutics Starts Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Its MS Immunotherapy ATA188 Atara BiotherapeuticsĀ has startedĀ a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess ATA188’s safety and potential to treat progressive or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. ATA188 is the companyās next-generation T-cell immunotherapy. It targets Epstein-Barr virus antigens that play an important role in the development of MS. An antigen is a molecule capable of…
September 1, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Infection by Epstein-Barr Virus Increases MS Risk for African-Americans and Latinos, Study Finds Past infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been reported to increase the risk for multiple sclerosis (MS). Now, researchers have found a link between EBV and MSĀ in three racial-ethnic groups, with African-Americans and Latinos showing a higher risk for MS than Caucasians.
August 14, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Phase 1 Trial Recruitment Complete for Ataraās ATA188 T-cell Immunotherapy for Progressive MS Atara BiotherapeuticsĀ recently published anĀ updateĀ ofĀ the companyās quarterly financial results and operational highlights, including the advancement ofĀ itsĀ T-cell based immunotherapy strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer. One of the investigational therapies featured in the report is ATA188, a potential treatment for MS.
June 22, 2017 Columns by Tamara Sellman MS Alphabet: EAE, Endothelium, EpsteināBarr, and other ‘E’ Words (Editorās note: Tamara Sellman continues her occasional series on the MS alphabet with this second of two parts on terms starting with the letter āE.ā Read the first part here.) When it comes to multiple sclerosis, mastering an understanding of the disease means you…
February 27, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD #ACTRIMS2017 – Study Reports Possible Link Between Viral Infections, Vitamin D, and Risk for MS In a U.S. nationwideĀ case study, a team of researchers found evidence forĀ a potential link between viralĀ infections during childhood, vitamin D deficiency, and the risk of developingĀ multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, āEnvironmental risk factors associated with pediatric MS: The role of remote viral infections and vitamin D revisited,ā was recently…
February 24, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD #ACTRIMS2017 – There is Increased Evidence Linking Viruses to MS Risk Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be caused by genetic factors, but environmental cues are increasingly recognized to have an impact on disease onset and development. One environmental factor suggested to play a role in MS is infectious agents, such as viruses. Now, different teams of scientists have explored the…
June 23, 2016 Columns by admin MS is Linked to Glandular Fever, I Have No Doubt In my mind, MS is linked to glandular fever. From personal experience, there is no room for doubt of any kind. Trouble is, though, that my experience and belief is not proof. And that is why I find that efforts to establish a definite link between glandular fever, often known…
October 12, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Prof. Jorge Correale Reviews Environmental Factors Associated with Multiple Sclerosis at ECTRIMS 2015 Three parallel sessions concerning multiple sclerosis (MS) prevention, clinical phenotypes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were featured at theĀ 31st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), recently held in Barcelona, Spain (October 7 ā 10, 2015). The first parallel session was entitled āWill MS…