Vaccine breakthrough for EBV-associated cancers and MS скачать в хорошем качестве

Vaccine breakthrough for EBV-associated cancers and MS

A cutting-edge vaccine candidate developed by QIMR Berghofer has achieved effective, long-term protection against Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in pre-clinical models. EBV is a member of the herpes virus family. It is carried by around 95 percent of the population. Most of us are unaware of the virus lying dormant in our bodies. Infection usually occurs in early childhood causing very mild symptoms. However, in some people EBV can lead to severe illness. Those who catch the virus later in life as teens or young adults can develop infectious mononucleosis, or glandular fever, which is a major risk factor for a number of diseases and cancers. A landmark study published last year established that EBV is likely the leading cause of multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable neurological disease where the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coating around the nerves causing debilitating symptoms. Preventing EBV-associated infectious mononucleosis could potentially lead to the prevention of MS in the future, but despite worldwide research efforts there is still no vaccine available. The new QIMR Berghofer vaccine candidate potentially offers a breakthrough approach that combines two powerful arms of the immune system to target the virus in both acute and latent infection.