Epstein-Barr virus

EBV vaccine expected to be cost-effective in preventing MS: Study

Using a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to prevent the development ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) is highly likely to be cost-effective, especially when given in early adolescence, according to an Australian modeling study. ā€œThe evidence from this study highlights the urgent need for the development of an EBV…

ATA188 fails to outperform placebo in EMBOLD clinical trial

ATA188, an experimental cell therapy targeting the Epstein-Barr virus, failed to outperform a placebo at easing disability levels in people with nonactive progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to data from the Phase 2 portion of the EMBOLD clinical trial. The medication also showed no signs of…

ECTRIMS 2023: New research may help explain EBV and MS link

New research by scientists in Austria may shed light on the link between theĀ Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) andĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), and explain why only some people infected with EBV ā€” previously found to raise the risk of MSĀ by 32 times ā€” go on to develop the neurodegenerative disorder. Distinct…

NMSS Grant Supports Work Into Epstein-Barr Virus as MS Trigger

AĀ National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ grant is supporting an Australian-led research team aiming to better understand how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may be acting as a trigger for multiple sclerosis (MS). The funding will particularly be used to understand what molecules are being targeted by lymphocytes, immune cells that…

T-cells Targeting Epstein-Barr Virus at High Levels in MS Patients

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have significantly more T-cells equipped with receptors that specifically recognize the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) than do healthy individuals, a study revealed. Notably, no such differences were detected for T-cells with receptors specifically against other viruses. These findings add to previous data highlightingĀ EBV infection…

PAS002 Vaccine Shows Efficacy in MS Mouse Model

Pasithea Therapeutics investigational multiple sclerosis vaccine, PAS002, effectively delayed disease onset and reduced disease severity in a mouse model of the neurodegenerative condition, according to data from a preclinical study. The vaccine, which is designed to promote immune tolerance to a specific myelin protein, also reduced the severity…

EMBOLD Study of ATA188 in Progressive MS Is Given Go-ahead

An independent committee of experts has recommended that the Phase 2 portion of the EMBOLD clinical trial continue as planned without a sample size adjustment, following an analysis of safety and effectiveness data. The trial is testing Atara Biotherapeutics‘ experimental medication ATA188 in progressive forms of multiple…

Hunt for EBV Vaccine Gets a Boost From NIH

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is joining the search for a vaccine to attack the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This is a big deal for people with multiple sclerosis, because carrying the virus is thought to play a significant role in the development of MS. In fact,…

Australia Sets Aside $18M to Support MS Trials, EBV Research

The Australian government has announced that a record AU$18 million (about $13.5 million) from the Medical Research Future Fund will be used to support research intoĀ multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) as part of its 2022ā€“23 budget. Grant opportunities willĀ focus on increasing access to clinical trials and speeding the development of effective…

Atara, Fujifilm Enter Deal to Produce Cell Therapies

Atara Biotherapeutics has reached an agreement withĀ Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies for the production of its cell therapy pipeline, including ATA188, an experimental therapy being investigated for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Under the agreement, Fujifilm will acquire Ataraā€™s T-Cell Operations and Manufacturing (ATOM) facility in Thousand…

An Epstein-Barr Virus Primer for MS Patients

You may have heard about the research that’s just been published about the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study reports that being infected by EBV raises the risk of developing MS by 32 times. This isn’t a small or…

Can Focusing on the Epstein-Barr Virus Help Researchers Fight MS?

There are continuing signals that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a fuel that can spark a multiple sclerosis (MS) fire. EBV is a herpes virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, more commonly known as mono. Sometimes called the “kissing disease” because the virus that causes it is easily spread through saliva,…

Mono as Child or Teenager Tied to Risk of MS as Adult in Large Study

People who contract infectious mononucleosis ā€” colloquially known as “mono” ā€” during childhood or adolescence are at a roughly two to three times greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) as adults, a large population-based study suggests. Notably, the study points to mono itself ā€” independent of other factors…