Antibody therapy blocks Epstein-Barr virus, paving way for transplant-preventive treatment

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed human-like monoclonal antibodies in a mouse model that block EBV from attaching to and entering B cells, with one gp42-targeting antibody fully preventing infection in humanized mice; the approach could become a preventive therapy to reduce EBV-related disease, including PTLD, in transplant patients, given that EBV infects about 95% of people worldwide. Next steps include safety testing and clinical trials.