by Six decades ago, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) made headlines as the first human cancer-causing virus discovered by pathologist Anthony Epstein and virologist Yvonne Barr. Since then, this herpesvirus has been linked to a range of diseases, including various cancers, and is carried by approximately 90% of the adult population.
Most individuals are infected with EBV without experiencing any symptoms or illness. However, acute infection can lead to glandular fever, also known as kissing disease, which can keep individuals out of commission for several months. Furthermore, EBV is suspected to contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Despite the prevalence and health implications of EBV, there is currently no approved drug or vaccine to specifically target and eliminate the virus within the body. A research team from the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel has recently unveiled a potential solution to this challenge.
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Science, the researchers revealed that inhibiting a specific metabolic pathway in infected cells can diminish latent infection and, consequently, reduce the risk of downstream diseases. This discovery offers a promising starting point for developing new therapeutic strategies to combat EBV and its associated health issues.
The Epstein-Barr virus, first discovered in 1964, is a member of the herpesvirus family and has been linked to various diseases, including several types of cancer. Approximately 90% of the adult population carries the virus, with most infections occurring before the age of five or during adolescence. While most individuals remain asymptomatic, acute infection can lead to glandular fever, and the virus is also suspected to play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
To date, there have been no approved drugs or vaccines to specifically target and eliminate EBV within the body. However, a recent study by researchers from the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel provides a glimmer of hope. By inhibiting a specific metabolic pathway in infected cells, the researchers were able to diminish latent infection and, in turn, reduce the risk of downstream diseases. This discovery marks an important step forward in the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat EBV and its associated health issues.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
