Australian Clinical Trials Test Antiviral Drugs Targeting Epstein-Barr Virus for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
核心洞察
Two new clinical trials in Australia, STOP-MS and FIRMS-EBV, will test whether existing antiviral medications targeting Epstein-Barr virus can slow MS progression or reduce fatigue symptoms.
The STOP-MS trial focuses on progressive MS patients and aims to determine which antiviral drug best reduces EBV activity before testing its effect on disease progression.
FIRMS-EBV targets MS-related fatigue, which affects up to 80% of MS patients, by testing medications against active EBV infection in B cells.
Two groundbreaking clinical trials launching in Australia will test whether targeting the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with existing antiviral medications can provide new treatment options for multiple sclerosis patients. The STOP-MS and FIRMS-EBV trials represent a significant shift toward addressing what researchers increasingly believe is a key driver of MS disease progression.
Strong Evidence Links EBV to Multiple Sclerosis
The connection between EBV and MS has grown increasingly compelling over recent years. While EBV infection affects around 90% of adults globally, it is almost universal in people with MS. A pivotal 2022 study monitoring 10 million US military personnel confirmed that MS only developed in those who had tested positive for previous EBV exposure, demonstrating that people who have never been infected with EBV have a near-zero risk of developing the disease.
Recent research suggests that EBV infection may trigger the immune system's attack on the brain and spinal cord that initiates the MS disease process. The virus may also continue to drive MS disease activity through ongoing viral replication or latent-lytic cycling that continuously exposes the immune system to EBV antigens.
STOP-MS: Targeting Progressive Disease
The STOP-MS clinical trial addresses one of the most challenging forms of MS—progressive disease, where symptoms slowly worsen over time. Current therapies for progressive MS have limited effect on the rate of progression, creating an urgent need for new treatments.
STOP-MS will test whether antiviral drugs can slow down disability progression in people with progressive MS through a two-stage approach. Stage 1 aims to identify which antiviral drug is most effective at reducing EBV activity in the body, while Stage 2 will test whether that drug also helps slow MS progression.
The trial has officially begun recruitment within Australia, with Gold Coast University Hospital (搜索) serving as the first clinical trial site. STOP-MS is funded by the Australian Government through the Medical Research Future Fund (搜索) (MRFF) and supported by MS Australia (搜索) through their Australian MS Clinical Trials Platform.
FIRMS-EBV: Addressing Debilitating Fatigue
The FIRMS-EBV clinical trial focuses specifically on fatigue, one of the most common and challenging symptoms of MS that affects up to 80% of patients and can make daily life extremely difficult. A growing body of evidence suggests that chronic EBV infection of immune cells known as B cells might be linked to chronic symptoms in MS, including fatigue.
FIRMS-EBV will test medications that have been shown to be effective against "active" EBV infection, also known as the "lytic" phase, with the goal of treating fatigue. If successful, the results could revolutionize treatment of this widespread MS symptom. Recruitment for FIRMS-EBV is expected to begin mid-2025.
Drug Repurposing Strategy Accelerates Development
Both trials employ a drug repurposing approach, using existing antiviral medications already approved in Australia to treat other conditions rather than developing entirely new drugs. This strategy can help bring effective treatments to people faster and more safely than traditional drug development, which typically takes years to complete.
While antivirals do not completely remove EBV from the body, they can stop EBV from multiplying, reducing the viral load. If EBV is helping to drive MS symptoms, then reducing the virus might help control the disease.
Patient-Centered Trial Design
These trials were created with direct input from people living with MS, who worked alongside researchers to choose which drugs to test and help shape the trial design. This partnership ensures that the treatments being tested reflect the real needs and priorities of people with MS.
Both STOP-MS and FIRMS-EBV are funded by the MRFF and supported by MS Australia (搜索) through their Australian MS Clinical Trials Platform. Trial sites will be established in all Australian states, and interested participants can register through MS Trial Screen to determine eligibility and be contacted when sites near them begin recruiting.