SEATTLE — Researchers at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center have announced a significant breakthrough that could soon lead to the first effective vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a ubiquitous pathogen linked to infectious mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis, and various cancers.
The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, details the successful testing of newly developed monoclonal antibodies in mice. With nearly 95% of the global population carrying EBV, finding a way to prevent its activation—especially in high-risk groups—has been a decades-long challenge.
Targeting the Virus’s Entry Points Using mice equipped with human antibody genes, the scientific team developed 10 monoclonal antibodies designed to target two specific proteins on the virus’s surface: gp350 (which helps EBV bind to cell receptors) and gp42 (which facilitates its entry into cells).
Remarkably, one of the antibodies targeting gp42 successfully prevented infection entirely when the humanized mice were exposed to EBV. Another antibody targeting gp350 offered partial protection.
“After many years of searching for a viable way to protect against Epstein-Barr virus, this is a significant stride for the scientific community and the people at the highest risk of complications from this virus,” stated study coauthor Andrew McGuire.
Dr. Rachel Bender Ignacio, also a coauthor from Fred Hutch, emphasized that preventing EBV viremia remains a “significant unmet need in transplant medicine,” as EBV-associated lymphomas frequently cause severe and potentially fatal complications in immunosuppressed patients.
