Stanford Study Links Epstein-Barr Virus to Lupus, Paving way for Novel treatments
STANFORD, CA – A groundbreaking study from Stanford University researchers has established a definitive link between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the autoimmune disease lupus, perhaps unlocking new avenues for treatment and offering hope to millions affected by the chronic condition. The research, published recently, identifies EBV-infected B cells as key drivers of lupus growth, resolving a decades-long medical enigma.
For years, scientists have suspected a connection between EBV – the virus that causes mononucleosis, or “mono” – and lupus, but proving a causal relationship remained elusive. This new research provides compelling evidence that EBV infection triggers an immune response in susceptible individuals, leading to the development of lupus symptoms. Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, can cause inflammation affecting various organs including the skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. More than half of lupus patients do not respond adequately to current treatments, highlighting a notable unmet medical need.
The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Peter Robinson, expressed optimism about the implications of the findings. “I hope to use this research to find better treatments for lupus,” he saeid. Robinson, along with two study co-authors, has founded ebvio Inc., a startup dedicated to developing therapies that either deplete B cells or specifically target EBV-infected B cells.
Experts in the field are hailing the research as a significant step forward. Dr. Monica Gandhi,an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at UC San Francisco,called the study “exciting,” emphasizing the importance of a mechanistic explanation for identifying potential therapeutics. “The reason that a mechanistic explanation is so significant is it suggests possible therapeutics,” Gandhi told SFGATE.
Dr. Narender Annapureddy, an assistant professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, believes the findings, coupled with technological advancements, could lead to new treatments capable of inducing remission. “CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach, capable of inducing deep, medication-free remission by resetting the immune system and achieving profound B cell depletion at the tissue level,” Annapureddy stated.
The research utilized a staining technique to visualize EBV within leukemia cells in a 1972 photomicrograph, illustrating the virus’s presence and impact on immune cells. This finding builds upon decades of investigation into the role of viruses in autoimmune diseases and offers a renewed focus for lupus research and treatment development.