Safe and effective
Immunotherapy was first used to treat multiple sclerosis
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
The world's first clinical trial was completed successfully for the majority of participants. Scientists believe that they have opened a new chapter in the therapy of autoimmune diseases.
Australian scientists have completed the first phase of clinical trials on cellular immunotherapy for patients with multiple sclerosis. The therapy improved the symptoms and quality of life of the majority of volunteers, according to the website of the University of Queensland in Brisbane (New immunotherapy improves MS symptoms).
Article by Pender et al. Epstein-Barr virus–specific T cell therapy for progressive multiple sclerosis is published in JCI Insight – VM.
"The results can be called a breakthrough, because for the first time we have proven the safety and effectiveness of immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases," says researcher Michael Pender.
The treatment was aimed at the Epstein-Barr virus, which is associated with the development of multiple sclerosis due to the accumulation of infected cells in the brain. The study involved 10 people: half with a primary progressive stage and half with an average. Each participant received four doses of medication.
The medicine consists of the patient's own immune T-cells, which are previously "trained" to recognize and destroy infected ones.
The team notes that seven patients showed improvements. In particular, fatigue decreased and labor productivity increased, they began to see and move better.
"Clinical success opens up opportunities for other autoimmune diseases. Applying the experience of cellular immunotherapy, we will be able to cure many patients for whom effective therapies have not yet been developed," says Pender.
As with all autoimmune diseases, the causes of multiple sclerosis are not fully understood. Recently, scientists from Sweden have proved that one of the determining factors may be oligodendrocytes – the most common types of brain and spinal cord cells.
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