Against multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis reversed by Epstein-Barr virus attack

Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+

The viral nature of multiple sclerosis has not yet been definitively confirmed, but scientists regularly find new evidence of this. In a pilot clinical study, it was shown that attacking the virus stabilizes the disease at a progressive stage and even reverses brain damage.

Multiple sclerosis is an incurable autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that affects the myelin sheath of nerve fibers. Stress, smoking, as well as bacterial infections and exposure to viruses, mainly herpes of the fourth type, or Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), are considered among the main causes of the disease. According to various estimates, approximately 80-95% of people are carriers of VEB.

Scientists from the biotech company Atara Biotherapeutics have developed an experimental therapy ATA188, which uses donor lymphocytes to destroy infected EBV cells by targeting antigens on their surface, writes Medical Express.

The treatment was tested on 24 patients with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis. Improvements in well-being and stabilization of symptoms of the disease were registered in 20 volunteers.

Remyelination was recorded on the brain scan — part of the damage was reversed.

With a significant therapeutic effect, no side effects from the treatment were recorded. The authors are encouraged by the results obtained. They are currently planning to launch a second phase of clinical trials with a placebo group to confirm the findings on a larger sample in the long term.

Previously , scientists from Harvard presented the results of a large-scale study that can put an end to understanding the nature of multiple sclerosis. They found out that the disease really provokes the Epstein-Barr virus — it increases the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease by 32 times.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru