Virus Linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Prostate Cancer is
Viewed as a Blood Transfusion Risk
CONCORD, Calif. & RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease (WPI) and
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) announced positive results from a study
demonstrating the efficacy of the INTERCEPT Blood System to inactivate
XMRV, a human retrovirus, in donated platelet components. After sample
platelet components were inoculated with XMRV, the infected blood
components were treated with INTERCEPT, a system that inactivates
pathogens in donated blood. Following treatment, no evidence of
infectious XMRV was detected in blood samples. The study results have
been submitted for presentation at the AABB Annual Meeting in October.
XMRV is a retrovirus that has recently been linked to prostate cancer
and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Other
retroviruses, such as HIV and HTLV-1, are known to cause cancer and
immune deficiencies. Studies by WPI researchers and collaborators have
confirmed that infectious XMRV can be found in human blood cells and
that the virus is transmitted through body fluids.
In the joint study conducted by WPI and Cerus, blood samples were
evaluated in a validated virus culture test, which allows sensitive
detection of XMRV particles that are capable of reproducing. Cerus'
INTERCEPT Blood System inactivates pathogens by crosslinking their DNA
or RNA, thereby blocking replication and preventing subsequent
transmission of infection. INTERCEPT has previously been demonstrated to
inactivate high levels of both HIV and HTLV. Cerus and WPI decided to
collaborate on inactivation studies for XMRV in order to characterize
the treatment's efficacy against this newly recognized human retrovirus.
While research is ongoing regarding the prevalence and disease
association of the virus, concern for potential transfusion transmission
of XMRV has already led blood centers in Australia, Canada, the United
Kingdom and New Zealand to ban donations from blood donors with ME/CFS.
Earlier this month, the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee of
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services voted unanimously to
recommend that U.S. blood centers also defer donors with diagnosed
ME/CFS.
"As XMRV is a human retrovirus like HIV, one immediately wonders about
the possibility for transfusion transmission of XMRV," said Dr. Judy
Mikovits, director of research at WPI. "We chose to work with Cerus on
this joint study because developing prevention strategies for
XMRV-linked neuro-immune diseases is an important element of the WPI's
mission."
"Due to its leadership in the discovery and characterization of XMRV,
WPI is an ideal partner to confirm the efficacy of our treatment
process," added Lily Lin, vice president of global scientific affairs
for Cerus. "Emerging pathogens such as XMRV are a particular challenge
for blood transfusion services and highlight a weakness in the current
blood banking system."
The INTERCEPT systems for platelets and plasma are used by over 40 blood
centers in Europe, Russia and the Middle East. The INTERCEPT Blood
System is not yet approved for use in the United States.
ABOUT THE WHITTEMORE PETERSON INSTITUTE
The Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease exists to
bring discovery, knowledge, and effective treatments to patients with
illnesses that are caused by acquired dysregulation of the immune system
and the nervous system, often resulting in lifelong disease and
disability. The Whittemore Peterson Institute is the first institute in
the world dedicated to neuro-immune diseases, integrating patient
treatment, basic and clinical research and medical education.
ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation is a biomedical products company focused on
commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety. The
INTERCEPT system is designed to reduce the risk of
transfusion-transmitted diseases by inactivating a broad range of
pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites that may be present in
donated blood. The nucleic acid targeting mechanism of action allows
INTERCEPT treatment to inactivate both established transfusion threats,
such as hepatitis, HIV, West Nile virus and bacteria, as well as
emerging pathogens such as influenza, malaria and dengue. Cerus
currently markets and sells the INTERCEPT Blood System for both
platelets and plasma in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and selected
countries in other regions around the world. The INTERCEPT red blood
cell system is in clinical development. Visit http://www.cerus.com
for more information.
INTERCEPT and INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus Corporation.
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Source: Cerus Corporation