Targeting Epstein-Barr Virus–Infected B Cells With ATA188: Bridget A. Bagert, MD, MPH

Research into multiple sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology that has been conducted in the past decade has brought to light the implications and role of Epstein-Barr virus–infected B cells in the disease’s cause. As such, Atara Biotherapeutics has developed an investigational treatment that aims to specifically target the inflammation caused by these infected cells.

The therapy, ATA188, is an allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy for patients with progressive MS, has been evaluated in a phase 1/2 clinical trial, with results recently presented at the 37th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis(ECTRIMS), October 13-15, 2021. The data include magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) measurements and suggest that the therapy has a sustained clinical benefit over 39 months.

Ultimately, MTR for unenhancing T2 lesions showed a correlation with EDSS at 6 months (n = 21; ρ = –0.4180; P = .0594) and at 12 months (n = 23; ρ = –0.3539; P = .1062). For those with normal-appearing brain tissue, the correlation results at 6 months and 12 months were as follows: 6 months (n = 20): ρ = –0.2473 (P = .2932); 12 months (n = 22): ρ = –0.1027 (P = .6491). The findings suggest that there may be evidence of a potential remyelination effect based on the increases in MTR associated with EDSS scores.

To find out more about the therapy, its potential, and the findings from this study, NeurologyLive spoke with investigator Bridget A. Bagert, MD, MPH, director, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Ochsner Health. Atara Bio is still investigating the therapy in an ongoing and enrolling phase 2 portion of the study, called EMBOLD (NCT03283826), which is expected to read out interim results in early 2022.

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