Clinical Research Directory

Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies in Egyptian Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that causes variable degrees of neurological disability. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been identified as an important environmental factor implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of MS. However, the serological profile, antibody titers, and clinical relevance of EBV infection among Egyptian individuals with MS remain limited. The primary purpose of this hospital-based observational study is to evaluate the frequency and titers of EBV-specific antibodies, specifically anti-viral capsid antigen (anti-VCA) IgG and anti-Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (anti-EBNA1) IgG, in Egyptian patients diagnosed with MS compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The study also aims to assess whether EBV antibody levels correlate with MS disease activity, degree of neurological disability, relapse frequency, clinical subtype, brain MRI lesion burden, and response to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). A total of 140 participants will be enrolled at the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, comprising 70 adult patients with MS diagnosed according to the 2024 McDonald criteria and 70 matched healthy controls. Participants will undergo clinical and demographic assessment, neurological disability evaluation using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for MS patients, and review of existing brain MRI scans. A single venous blood sample will be collected from all participants to measure anti-VCA IgG and anti-EBNA1 IgG levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

A Phase Ib Study of VK-2019 in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory EBV+ Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphomas (DLBCL)

This is a Phase Ib in adult patients with relapsed or refractory EBV-positive DLBCL using daily oral dosing of VK-2019 in three dose escalation cohorts: 600 mg/day, 1200 mg/day, 1800 mg/day for 28 days (cycle), until progression or toxicity.

Application of PD-1 Inhibitors Combined With Tenofovir, Chidamide and Lenalidomide in the Treatment of EBV-associated Diseases.

Currently, treatment options for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection are limited, with unsatisfactory efficacy and no established standard therapy. Therefore, our center is conducting a prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitor in combination with tenofovir, chidamide, and lenalidomide in patients with EBV infectious diseases, aiming to provide a more effective and safer therapeutic option for EBV infectious diseases.

Occurrence of Antibodies Cross-reacting With Autoantigens in Primary EBV Infection

The aim of this study is to assess the occurrence of antibodies cross-reacting with autoantigens that have been detected in the context of SLE in patients with primary EBV infection over time compared to a control group. It is to establish a biobank of patients with primary EBV infection allowing to longitudinally analyze the immune response and its accompanying inflammatory processes with focus on the occurrence of antibodies cross-reacting with autoantigens associated with SLE and other autoimmune diseases. Substudies will analyze * characteristics of primary EBV infection patients treated with antibiotics in comparison to patients treated without antibiotics and outcomes of these treatment regimens (occurrence of acute complications such as peritonsillar abscess (PTA) or need for tonsillectomy, frequency of fatigue or symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome). * Procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations in primary EBV infection compared to control patients with similar symptoms and its association with disease severity and local complications. * the occurrence of fatigue and symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome 6 and 12 months after primary EBV infection.