Famciclovir in Multiple Sclerosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical trial to determine the effect of Famciclovir on Epstein-Barr virus activity as measured by EBV shedding in saliva of patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
IRAS ID
249627
Contact name
Ruth Dobson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University London
Eudract number
2019-000169-19
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 31 days
Research summary
The clinical trial proposes to investigate the effects on EBV shedding in the saliva of MS patients of famciclovir taken at a dose of 1000mg per day (500mg X 2). Pharmacokinetic data indicates that this dose should be sufficient to effectively suppress EBV, as famciclovir appears to inhibit EBV replication at the same doses required to inhibit other herpes viruses.
Patients with MS will be asked to provide saliva samples at weekly intervals for a total of 36 weeks – 12 weeks baseline (pre-treatment), 12 weeks on treatment and 12 weeks post-treatment. EBV viral shedding can then be established in the saliva samples at the end of the study, and pre and post-treatment shedding of EBV will then be compared with shedding while taking famciclovir.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1026
Date of REC Opinion
3 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion