The recent “Epstein-Barr virus causes multiple sclerosis study” is very cool and a model for future epidemiological studies. First, it very strongly suggests that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is behind at least a majority of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases in the US, which is a big deal for a condition which has long had mysterious origins. Also, it proved a causative effect with one very common infection and one relatively rare neurological condition, which is difficult on both counts (for details on how they did this, check footnote [1]).
I followed your link on 'the failures we’ve had in vaccinating against EBV'. Went to the Wikipedia article on Epstein-Barr virus vaccine. The last paragraph looks like it was added after you wrote this post. It is very interesting, pointing to a promising mRNA vaccine currently in clinical trials, and a possible therapeutic mRNA vaccine. I'll post it here as a possibly useful update to your essay.
"In 2021, Moderna announced two mRNA vaccine candidates targeting EBV: a prophylactic mRNA-1189 and a therapeutic mRNA-1195.[12] Regarding the mRNA-1189, the company said that the "vaccine encodes five glycoproteins to inhibit both mechanisms for viral entry into B cells (gp350 plus gH/gL/gp42), adds protection for epithelial cells (gH/gL), and includes gB for protection of all cells."[13] The viral proteins produced by the mRNA in this vaccine are expressed in their native form, bound to the cell membrane, where they are available for recognition by the immune system.[12] The company began Phase I clinical trials of mRNA-1189 on 5 January 2022.[14] The other candidate, mRNA-1195 vaccine, is being developed to prevent longer-term complications which may be caused by EBV, and it contains additional antigens compared to mRNA-1189.[12] As of February 2022, mRNA-1195 is still in pre-clinical trials.[citation needed]"
I went over and read the relevant sections of reference 12. In it they don't expand on what is said in the wikipedia article on the prophylaxis vaccine, but they do go into more detail on their hopes for the therapeutic vaccine: " mRNA-1195 is being developed to prevent longer term sequelae of EBV infection, which are associated with loss of immune control of EBV latent infection, creating longer-term complications. mRNA-1195 is in pre-clinical development and encodes for additional antigens than mRNA-1189. The Company expects to initially test the vaccine in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) because at least 80% of PTLD in transplant patients is associated with EBV. The Company expects to also pursue other longer-term potential indications for this vaccine, including multiple sclerosis."
The business with the therapeutic vaccine sounds pretty blue sky, although it is encouraging that they are looking at the multiple sclerosis link.
I've been waiting for someone to finally prove this since 2010, thanks for sharing.
The reason this paper is a big deal is that it means people who've wanted to do more in depth research into the underlying components that will elucidate the pathology finally have grounds upon which to try and solicit funding.
Here's an interesting one for you: EBV is a strain of Herpes. Joel Dudley showed HHV6 and 7 are likely at the root of Alzheimers. Most recently I've been digging into the possibility of whether herpes could potentially act as a bacteriophage.
I followed your link on 'the failures we’ve had in vaccinating against EBV'. Went to the Wikipedia article on Epstein-Barr virus vaccine. The last paragraph looks like it was added after you wrote this post. It is very interesting, pointing to a promising mRNA vaccine currently in clinical trials, and a possible therapeutic mRNA vaccine. I'll post it here as a possibly useful update to your essay.
"In 2021, Moderna announced two mRNA vaccine candidates targeting EBV: a prophylactic mRNA-1189 and a therapeutic mRNA-1195.[12] Regarding the mRNA-1189, the company said that the "vaccine encodes five glycoproteins to inhibit both mechanisms for viral entry into B cells (gp350 plus gH/gL/gp42), adds protection for epithelial cells (gH/gL), and includes gB for protection of all cells."[13] The viral proteins produced by the mRNA in this vaccine are expressed in their native form, bound to the cell membrane, where they are available for recognition by the immune system.[12] The company began Phase I clinical trials of mRNA-1189 on 5 January 2022.[14] The other candidate, mRNA-1195 vaccine, is being developed to prevent longer-term complications which may be caused by EBV, and it contains additional antigens compared to mRNA-1189.[12] As of February 2022, mRNA-1195 is still in pre-clinical trials.[citation needed]"
I went over and read the relevant sections of reference 12. In it they don't expand on what is said in the wikipedia article on the prophylaxis vaccine, but they do go into more detail on their hopes for the therapeutic vaccine: " mRNA-1195 is being developed to prevent longer term sequelae of EBV infection, which are associated with loss of immune control of EBV latent infection, creating longer-term complications. mRNA-1195 is in pre-clinical development and encodes for additional antigens than mRNA-1189. The Company expects to initially test the vaccine in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) because at least 80% of PTLD in transplant patients is associated with EBV. The Company expects to also pursue other longer-term potential indications for this vaccine, including multiple sclerosis."
The business with the therapeutic vaccine sounds pretty blue sky, although it is encouraging that they are looking at the multiple sclerosis link.
Love your content!!!
I've been waiting for someone to finally prove this since 2010, thanks for sharing.
The reason this paper is a big deal is that it means people who've wanted to do more in depth research into the underlying components that will elucidate the pathology finally have grounds upon which to try and solicit funding.
Here's an interesting one for you: EBV is a strain of Herpes. Joel Dudley showed HHV6 and 7 are likely at the root of Alzheimers. Most recently I've been digging into the possibility of whether herpes could potentially act as a bacteriophage.