Researchers recently developed a vaccine that exposes the body to two proteins that the Epstein-Barr virus uses to invade cells, training the immune system to recognize the pathogen if exposed.
A NewScientist report said a vaccine that wards off the said virus to stop glandular fever, multiple sclerosis, or MS potentially, and even some cancers has shown promise in ferrets, monkeys, and mice. A human trial is expected to begin next year.
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In their initial experiment, Natick, Massachusetts-based ModeX Therapeutics' Gary Nabel, and his colleagues have revealed that mice, rhesus macaques, and ferrets developed antibodies against post-vaccination for Epstein-Barr.
To understand the vaccine's potential in humans, the study investigators engineered mice that have human-like immune systems.
Promising Result of Vaccine in Mice
When exposed to the said virus, only 17 percent of the mice turned infected after being given antibodies from other vaccinated rodents. On the contrary, 100 percent of the mice who did not have the antibodies became infected.
Describing their research, Nabel said it was quite a "promising result" as they were able to block the infection of the virus nearly entirely and prevent it from causing infection even at low levels.
None of the mouse models that were given the vaccine-induced antibodies developed lymphomas. These are cancers of the lymphatic system that are increasingly linked to the Epstein Barr virus, compared with half of the unprotected rodents.
The study authors did not look into any other condition related to the Epstein-Barr virus-like stomach cancer.
EBV Linked to Multiple Sclerosis
The study published in the Science Translational Medicine journal revealed that more than 95 percent of adults all over the world are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, a variant of herpes that most typically spreads through saliva.
This virus is known for causing glandular fever, also known as "mono," and is linked to multiple sclerosis or MS. If the vaccine is proven safe and effective in humans, it could then be administered to children to prevent Epstein-Barr-related conditions from occurring, explained Nabel.
The American company, Moderna, better known for its COVID-19 vaccine, recently set out a clinical trial for its Epstein-Barr inoculation.
This vaccine of the United States-based firm is different from the ModeX candidate in that, akin to its COVID-19 vaccine, it uses mRNA to instruct cells to produce several Epstein-Bar virus proteins, instead of administering them directly.
Epstein-Barr Virus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes the Epstein-Barr virus or EBV, also known as "human herpesvirus 4," a member of the herpes virus family and one of the most common human viruses. This virus is found worldwide.
Most people get infected with the Epstein-Barr virus at some point. This disease spreads most typically through bodily fluids, mainly saliva. The virus can also cause infectious mononucleosis, also known as "mono," as earlier mentioned, and other illnesses.
Symptoms of this disease may include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, inflamed throat, swollen liver, enlarged spleen, and rash.
A lot of people may turn infected with the Epstein-Barr virus during childhood. Usually, EBV infections in children do not lead to symptoms or are not distinguishable from other mild, brief childhood diseases.
Essentially, people who experience symptoms from EBV infection, typically teenagers or adults, get better in weeks, about two to four weeks, in particular. Nonetheless, some people may feel fatigued for several weeks or even months.
Related information about EBV and MS is shown on MStranslate's YouTube video below:
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