THE Epstein-Barr virus (from the family of herpes viruses), is extremely common, since it is estimated that 95% of the world’s population contract it During his life. If for most people it causes no symptoms or health problems over time, it is associated with certain diseases such as infectious mononucleosis, certain cancers or even Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or even with a risk multiplied by 32 of contracting multiple sclerosis. Inserm has just published a study which evokes a new approach toimmunotherapy to redirect anti-Epstein-Barr virus antibodies to disease-causing cells.
THE monoclonal antibodies have enabled major therapeutic advances in many fields of medicine, recalls Inserm. In France, several dozen monoclonal antibodies are marketed today for the treatment of cancers, chronic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, etc.) or to prevent transplant rejection. However, these drugs remain complex to develop and expensive to manufacture.
As a result, access to these therapies is still restricted for many patients in many countries. Inserm is therefore working on another approach, the principle of which is to redirect a pre-existing immune response against EpsteinBarr virus (EBV) to target cells that we seek to destroy. Anti-EBV antibodies circulate in these people throughout their lives. “Developing a therapeutic tool based on the recruitment of these anti-EBV antibodies already present in patients is of major interest in redirecting this immune response against predefined target cells depending on the disease to be treated”, explains Inserm. Better, “This immunotherapy could be applicable in a very large number of patients due to the presence of anti-EBV antibodies in almost all individuals.”
A technology that is easy to develop and less expensive
Researchers rely on specific proteins, called “bi-modular fusion proteins (BMFPs). These are “composed of a domain that will bind specifically to an antigen expressed on the surface of the target cell that we are trying to destroy”, explains Inserm again. Sending these anti-EBVs to cells treated with these proteins will trigger an immune response and direct the body’s fight towards those cells to be destroyed.
After having been tested against tumors in animals, and observed total remission in some candidates, the researchers believe that this technique could prove effective in the fight against autoimmune diseases or cancers in humans. Patents have already been filed. “BMFPs are much easier and faster to produce than whole monoclonal antibodies, without requiring sophisticated engineering to optimize their functionswhich will reduce costs and open access to these therapies to a wider spectrum of patients”enthuses Jean-Luc Teillaud, research director at Inserm.
Source : New immunotherapy approach redirects Epstein-Barr virus antibodies to disease-causing cells Inserm, February 11, 2022.
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