Having the disease infectious mononucleosis, often called mono, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus is associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published on April 1, 2026, in Neurology® Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The Epstein-Barr virus is a herpes virus that is … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic brought messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines to the forefront of global health care. After their clinical trial stages, the first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was administered on 8 December 2020 and mathematical models suggest that mRNA vaccines prevented at least 14.4 million deaths from COVID-19 in the first year alone. Their extraordinary effectiveness in having … Read more
SEATTLE – March 4, 2026 – Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news. March is the awareness month for colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma. If you’re interested in speaking to experts, contact [email protected] to schedule interviews. Infectious disease research Scientists develop first-of-its-kind antibody to block Epstein-Barr … Read more
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause certain types of cancer or autoimmune diseases, but how the body controls this common viral infection is largely unknown. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn have now identified genetic and non-genetic factors that help the body fight EBV. To do this, they evaluated … Read more
Researchers at UC San Francisco have uncovered a new clue to how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) could contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that affects nearly one million Americans. The study, published Feb. 5 in Nature Immunology, found that certain types of CD8+ “killer” T cells – immune cells that destroy damaged or infected cells … Read more
Why are some children devastated by mysterious post-COVID inflammation? Scientists uncover how a ‘silent’ virus awakens – and a promising path to stop it. Study: TGFβ links EBV to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock A new study published in the journal Nature reveals a potential mechanism associated with the development of … Read more
MIS-C is a serious inflammatory shock that affects children. It can occur several weeks after a COVID infection and can be life-threatening. Until now, however, the precise cause of the condition was unknown. Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German Rheumatology Research Center (DRFZ), an institute of the Leibniz Association, have identified that … Read more
In multiple sclerosis (MS), antibodies to the common Epstein-Barr virus can accidentally attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. New research shows that the combination of certain viral antibodies and genetic risk factors can be linked to a greatly increased risk of MS. The study has been published in the journal PNAS and … Read more