Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39792343›Full record

SynthesisCNS drugs2025

Repurposing Licensed Drugs with Activity Against Epstein-Barr Virus for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Approach.

Vivien Li, Fiona C McKay, David C Tscharke, Corey Smith, Rajiv Khanna, Jeannette Lechner-Scott, William D Rawlinson, Andrew R Lloyd, Bruce V Taylor, Julia M Morahan and 14 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in CNS drugs, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Adoptive T-cell therapy for virus-associated diseases.Clinical microbiology reviews · 2025
    Review
  6. Review
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

24 authors.

Vivien LiFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9889-971X
Fiona C McKayMultiple Sclerosis Australia, Suite 3.01 18 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130, Australia. fiona.mckay@msaustralia.org.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9610-0668
David C TscharkeImmunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6825-9172
Corey SmithImmunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7550-9595
Rajiv KhannaImmunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2241-0353
Jeannette Lechner-ScottUniversity of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3850-447X
William D RawlinsonSerology and Virology Division (SAViD), Microbiology NSW Health Pathology, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0988-7827
Andrew R LloydThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6277-8887
Bruce V TaylorMenzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2807-0070
Julia M MorahanMultiple Sclerosis Australia, Suite 3.01 18 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9278-0603
Lawrence SteinmanDepartments of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 9305-5101, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2437-2250
Gavin GiovannoniCentre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9995-1700
Amit Bar-OrDepartment of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7179-0335
Michael LevyDepartment of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7969-8346
Natalia DrosuDepartment of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
Andrew PotterMultiple Sclerosis Australia, Suite 3.01 18 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130, Australia.
Nigel CaswellNational Advocates, Multiple Sclerosis Australia, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130, Australia.
Lynne SmithNational Advocates, Multiple Sclerosis Australia, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130, Australia.
Erin C BradyNational Advocates, Multiple Sclerosis Australia, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6885-6771
Bruce FrostNational Advocates, Multiple Sclerosis Australia, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130, Australia.
Suzanne HodgkinsonSchool of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9029-6663
Todd A HardyDepartment of Neurology, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Concord West, NSW, 2039, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4145-3172
Simon A BroadleySchool of Medicine and Dentistry, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9429-4307
Australian Anti-EBV Drugs for MS Working Group

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as a necessary factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may also be a driver of disease activity. Although it is not clear whether ongoing viral replication is the driver for MS pathology, MS researchers have considered the prospect of using drugs with potential efficacy against EBV in the treatment of MS. We have undertaken scientific and lived experience expert panel reviews to shortlist existing licensed therapies that could be used in later-stage clinical trials in MS.

methodsA list of therapies with anti-EBV effects was developed from existing reviews. A detailed review of pre-clinical and clinical data was undertaken to assess these candidates for potential usefulness and possible harm in MS. A 'drug-CV' and a plain language version focusing on tolerability aspects was created for each candidate. We used validated criteria to score each candidate with an international scientific panel and people living with MS.

resultsA preliminary list of 11 drug candidates was generated. Following review by the scientific and lived experience expert panels, six yielded the same highest score. A further review by the expert panel shortlisted four drugs (famciclovir, tenofovir alafenamide, maribavir and spironolactone) deemed to have the best balance of efficacy, safety and tolerability for use in MS.

conclusionsScientific and lived experience expert panel review of anti-EBV therapies selected four candidates with evidence for efficacy against EBV and acceptable safety and tolerability for potential use in phase III clinical trials for MS.

Indexed as

Antiviral AgentsDrug RepositioningEpstein-Barr Virus InfectionsHerpesvirus 4, HumanMultiple SclerosisHumansAntiviral Agents

Identifiers

PMID39792343

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.