The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has launched an early-stage clinical trial to evaluate an investigational preventative vaccine for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis (“mono”) and is associated with certain cancers and autoimmune diseases. The Phase 1 study is one of only two studies to test an investigational EBV vaccine in more than a decade. It will be conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. [1]

Figure 1. National Institutes of Health Launches Clinical Trial of Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine

Figure 1 shows EBV is a member of the herpes virus family and one of the most common human viruses. It is spread through bodily fluids, primarily saliva. An estimated 125,000 cases of infectious mononucleosis occur each year in the United States; roughly 10% of those persons develop fatigue lasting six months or longer. Approximately 1% of all EBV-infected individuals develop serious complications, including hepatitis, neurologic problems, or severe blood abnormalities. EBV also is associated with several malignancies, including stomach and nasopharyngeal cancers and Hodgkin and Burkitt lymphomas, as well as autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis. [2]

The vaccine works by targeting EBV glycoprotein gp350, which is found on the surface of the virus and virus-infected cells. EBV gp350 is also the primary target for neutralizing antibodies found in the blood of people naturally infected with EBV. Ferritin, a natural iron storage protein found in cells of all living species, is considered a promising vaccine platform because it can display proteins from the targeted virus in a dense array on its surface. The adjuvant is intended to enhance the immune response induced by the investigational vaccine. [4]

The study will evaluate the safety and immune response of an investigational EBV gp350-Ferritin nanoparticle vaccine with a saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant. The Laboratory of Infectious Diseases in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center developed the vaccine, while the Matrix-M adjuvant was developed by the biotechnology company Novavax. [3]

References:

1. https://scitechdaily.com/national-institutes-of-health-launches-clinical-trial-of-epstein-barr-virus-vaccine/
2. https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-launches-clinical-trial-epstein-barr-virus-vaccine
3. https://consumer.healthday.com/nih-launches-clinical-trial-of-epstein-barr-virus-vaccine-2657282898.html
4. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-launches-clinical-trial-epstein-barr-virus-vaccine

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), National Institutes of Health Launches Clinical Trial of Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine, Anatechmaz, pp. 254