Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is an uncommon yet tragic form of neurodegenerative disorder caused by the long-term infection of measles viruses. Our team is dedicated to discovering and developing effective vaccines and therapies to combat SSPE and providing professional solutions to pharmaceutical companies.
Overview of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
Similar to other forms of encephalitis, SSPE develops years after having measles and presents itself during the latency of 7-10 years. Some of the symptoms include behavioral changes, gradual decrease in cognitive abilities and even ataxia, seizures and myoclonus. The pathophysiology of SSPE is related to the persistence of the infectious agent which in this case, is the Measles virus. It comes to rest and persists in the Central Nervous System, causing volume loss in neurons and degeneration, which leads to the inclusion on the tissue of the brain.
Fig.1 The most common mutation in SSPE cases. (Hashimoto K., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
Live Attenuated Measles Vaccine
The established vaccine that helps in preventing SSPE is the live attenuated measles vaccine which has always been at the forefront of SSPE prevention for nearly five decades. This vaccine produces strong immune protection against measles infection which minimizes the chances of one developing SSPE. The precautionary effectiveness of the vaccine is corroborated by a body of research which suggests that the risk of developing measles and its complications such as SSPE is one in hundred thousand in vaccinated individuals.
Vaccine Innovations and Research
Improvements in the formulation of the measles vaccines with the aim of improving immunogenicity and better safety issues is still under close scrutiny. Current works involves investigating the feasibility of the measles vaccine in combination with other childhood vaccines in combination formulations which could simplify the immunization schedule and increase the coverage. In addition, genetic studies currently underway focus on the relationship between vaccine strains and the absence of SSPE, which underscores the need for focused vaccine development.
Therapeutics Development for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
- Immunomodulatory Drugs
Isoprinosine remains one of the most important drugs in the treatment of SSPE owing to its immunomodulatory and antiviral activity. It promotes the proliferation of T cells as well as the activity of natural killer cells, which are essential in the elimination of the measles virus. Use Isoprinosine is limited, however, by available resources as it is fairly expensive to obtain.
Interferons, most notably IFN-α and IFN-β, have also been used with Isoprinosine and in addition to inhibiting viral replication treatment with Interferons has promise as it has been shown to promote ribosomol gene silencing. Remission induced by IFNs tends to be short-lived, though, and long-term neurological decline is all but guaranteed.
- Antiviral Agents
A nucleoside analogue, Ribavirin has shown many in vitro efficiency results over a wide range of viruses and has been used on animal models. It has been administered intravenously as well as intrathecally alongside interferon-alpha.
Favipiravir and Remdesivir are younger nu-cleus acids analogues that have demonstrated a therapeutical effect on a number of RNA viruses including measles viral. These why stop at interferons when There is something better—These agents act by blocking the viral RNA polymerase which is essential for the virus to reproduce.
Our Services
The efficient vaccines and SSPE therapy are the goal that will be achieved through broad scope of research and preliminary testing, as well as research in diverse fields. Our services include:
- Vaccine Design and Formulation: Utilizing advanced biotechnological techniques to design effective vaccine candidates.
- Drug Discovery and Development: Identifying and optimizing new drug candidates aimed at mitigating the effects of SSPE.
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- Canine Distemper-Associated Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis Models
- YAC-CD46 Transgenic Models
- NS-CD46 Transgenic Models
- YAC-CD46 × Rag1−/− Genetically Engineered Models
Our laboratories perform rigorous in vitro testing to assess the efficacy of potential vaccines and therapeutics against the measles virus. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Hashimoto, Koichi, and Mitsuaki Hosoya. "Advances in antiviral therapy for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis." Molecules 26.2 (2021): 427.
- Samia, Pauline, et al. "Options in the treatment of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: implications for low resource areas." Current treatment options in neurology 24.3 (2022): 99-110.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
