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This study has serious potential. Yes, it was just one patient. Yes, more research is needed. But still: "Following the treatment he experienced a reduction in fatigue and painful lower limb spasms, an improvement in cognition and hand function, and increased productivity at work." That's impressive, and " these improvements were sustained up to the time of the latest review, 21 weeks" and "there were decreases in the number and size of gadolinium-enhancing MRI brain lesions." When there is so little out there to treat SPMS, any blip of hope is exciting.
Epstein–Barr virus-specific adoptive immunotherapy for progressive multiple sclerosis
Michael P Pender1,–3
Peter A Csurhes1,4
Corey Smith3
Leone Beagley3
Kaye D Hooper1,2
Meenakshi Raj2
Alan Coulthard1,5
Scott R Burrows1,3
Rajiv Khanna1,3
1The University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
2Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3QIMR Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
4The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
5Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
•Michael P. Pender, Level 9, Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Queensland 4029, Australia.
Abstract
Defective control of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection by cytotoxic CD8+ T cells might predispose to multiple sclerosis (MS) by allowing EBV-infected autoreactive B cells to accumulate in the central nervous system. We have treated a patient with secondary progressive MS with in vitro-expanded autologous EBV-specific CD8+ T cells directed against viral latent proteins. This adoptive immunotherapy had no adverse effects and the patient showed clinical improvement with reduced disease activity on magnetic resonance imaging and decreased intrathecal immunoglobulin production. This is the first report of the use of EBV-specific adoptive immunotherapy to treat MS or any other autoimmune disease.
Full Article (currently free): http://msj.sagepub.com/content/early...514521888.full
Epstein–Barr virus-specific adoptive immunotherapy for progressive multiple sclerosis
Michael P Pender1,–3
Peter A Csurhes1,4
Corey Smith3
Leone Beagley3
Kaye D Hooper1,2
Meenakshi Raj2
Alan Coulthard1,5
Scott R Burrows1,3
Rajiv Khanna1,3
1The University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
2Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3QIMR Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
4The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
5Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
•Michael P. Pender, Level 9, Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Queensland 4029, Australia.
Abstract
Defective control of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection by cytotoxic CD8+ T cells might predispose to multiple sclerosis (MS) by allowing EBV-infected autoreactive B cells to accumulate in the central nervous system. We have treated a patient with secondary progressive MS with in vitro-expanded autologous EBV-specific CD8+ T cells directed against viral latent proteins. This adoptive immunotherapy had no adverse effects and the patient showed clinical improvement with reduced disease activity on magnetic resonance imaging and decreased intrathecal immunoglobulin production. This is the first report of the use of EBV-specific adoptive immunotherapy to treat MS or any other autoimmune disease.
Full Article (currently free): http://msj.sagepub.com/content/early...514521888.full