Engineered Antibodies Direct T-Cells to Kill CMV Cells
- UCLA Researchers Discover Novel Immunotherapy Approach to Combat Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Los Angeles, CA - In a groundbreaking study, a team of researchers at UCLA has pioneered a new method to stimulate the immune system to target and eliminate...
- Otto Yang, a professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA,...
UCLA Researchers Discover Novel Immunotherapy Approach to Combat Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Los Angeles, CA – In a groundbreaking study, a team of researchers at UCLA has pioneered a new method to stimulate the immune system to target and eliminate cells infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), a perhaps life-threatening infection, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems.
The research,led by Dr. Otto Yang, a professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, focuses on engineering antibodies that direct the immune system’s T-cells to specifically attack CMV-infected cells. This innovative approach holds promise for individuals at high risk, including organ transplant recipients, people living with AIDS, and infants who contract the virus from thier mothers during pregnancy, which can led to deafness.
“This is a potentially new way to harness the immune system against this virus,” Dr. Yang explained.”It could offer new opportunities to treat transplant patients or AIDS patients with life-threatening infection, or children with poorly controlled infection that puts them at risk for deafness.”
The current treatments for CMV infection involve antiviral drugs that, while effective, can be expensive and often cause severe side effects such as bone marrow suppression and kidney damage. Furthermore, the virus can develop resistance to these drugs, making treatment even more challenging.
The UCLA team’s findings, published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, offer a potential alternative to these conventional treatments. By harnessing the power of the immune system, this new approach could provide a more targeted and less toxic way to combat CMV infection.
CMV is a common virus that infects moast people worldwide. In individuals with healthy immune systems,the virus is typically kept in check without causing any symptoms. However, in those with weakened immune systems, CMV can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.
The development of this novel immunotherapy approach represents a significant step forward in the fight against CMV infection. it offers hope for a future where individuals at risk can be effectively treated without the burden of severe side effects.