Novel Antibody Attacks Epstein-Barr Virus

New Antibody Targets Epstein-Barr Virus Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington in the U.S. have developed novel antibodies that target the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a pathogen affecting approximately 95 percent of adults globally. Published in May 2026, this research identifies a potential mechanism to prevent EBV infection and reactivation, which is linked to various cancers and multiple sclerosis.

The research focused on antibodies that block two surface proteins, gp350 and gp42, essential for EBV to infect human B cells. In experiments, mice engineered to produce human antibodies were exposed to these EBV proteins, leading to the isolation of 10 specific antibodies. One of these antibodies demonstrated significant protection against EBV infection in living mice.

This development offers a promising strategy for preventing EBV-related complications, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as organ and bone marrow transplant recipients. The antibodies could potentially mitigate post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD), a life-threatening cancer driven by EBV reactivation in patients undergoing immunosuppression. Further research is anticipated to advance these findings toward clinical application.