Significant link-95%-between ME/CFS & XMRV -Whittemore Peterson Institute Scient

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Thanks to Tate Mitchell <tatemitchell

 

 

_http://www.wpinstitute.org/xmrv/docs/wpi_pressrel_100809.pdf_

(http://www.wpinstitute.org/xmrv/docs/wpi_pressrel_100809.pdf)

 

 

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

2 p.m. EDT

 

Frankie Vigil

R & R Partners

775-336-4555

frankie.vigil

 

 

Whittemore Peterson Institute Scientists Discover Significant link between

XMRV and ME/CFS

 

RENO, NV – A recently identified retrovirus called XMRV has been linked to

a debilitating neuroimmune disease that affects more than one million

people in the United States.

 

Scientists from the Whittemore Peterson Institute (WPI), located at the

University of Nevada, Reno, and their collaborators from the National Cancer

Institute and the Cleveland Clinic, have discovered a retroviral link to

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

 

They recently published their groundbreaking findings in the journal,

Science, one of the world’s leading journals of original scientific research,

global news and commentary. The paper, entitled “Detection of

Infectious Retrovirus, XMRV, in the Blood Cells of CFS Patients,†is a

major breakthrough in understanding the origins of this disease.

 

 

Since the original Science paper was submitted, we have continued to

refine our test for XMRV and have surprisingly found that 95 percent ME/CFS

samples tested

positive for XMRV antibodies in the plasma.

 

 

This finding clearly points to the retrovirus as a significant

contributing factor in this illness,†said Judy Mikovits, Ph.D., director of

research

for WPI and leader of the team that discovered this association.

 

 

This landmark study was the first to isolate XMRV particles from the

blood, and show that it can be transmitted between blood cells.

 

XMRV was originally discovered in prostate cancer tissue of men with a

specific genetic immune system defect by Dr. Robert H. Silverman of the

Cleveland Clinic.

 

A similar immune system defect in patients with ME/CFS led researchers to

look for the virus in banked blood samples donated from several medical

practices throughout the United States.

 

Other retroviruses, such as HIV and HTLV-1, are known to cause cancer and

immune deficiencies in humans. This study showed XMRV can be found in

human blood cells and is infectious.

 

Researchers have confirmed that this retrovirus is transmitted through

body fluids and is not airborne.

 

WPI researchers have continued their in-depth studies of XMRV to clarify

its effects on the human immune system.

 

Scientists at WPI are clinically validating a blood test for the detection

of XMRV in ME/CFS and other human diseases. X associated neuro-immune

disease, or XAND, a new disease entity encompassing ME/CFS, will require

additional research funding to find effective treatments for patients.

 

With anticipated funding, WPI will begin the work of determining if any

currently approved drugs can suppress XMRV, followed closely by human

clinical trials to advance the most effective patient treatments.

 

 

This is the breakthrough that we have been hoping for. Now we have

scientific proof that this infectious agent is a significant factor in

ME/CFS,â€

said Annette Whittemore, founder and president of WPI and mother of a ME/CFS

patient.

 

“Patients and their doctors will soon have a blood test to verify their

diagnosis and provide the answers that they’ve been seeking.â€

 

Daniel Peterson, M.D., medical director of WPI added:

 

“Patients with ME/CFS (XAND) deal with a myriad of health issues as their

quality of life declines. I’m excited about the possibility of providing

patients who are positive for XMRV a definitive diagnosis,

and hopefully very soon, a range of effective treatments options.â€

 

 

Information relating to XMRV associated neuroimmune disease can be found

at _www.wpinstitute.org_ (http://www.wpinstitute.org) .

 

Those with XAND (ME/CFS) and/or fibromyalgia, interested in participating

in research studies to further the development of diagnostic tests, should

complete the questionnaire available at _www.wpinstitute.org_

(http://www.wpinstitute.org) .

 

 

The Center for Molecular Medicine, now under construction, at the

University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, is the future home of the

Whittemore Peterson Institute.

 

We’re excited about the opening of our new facility next summer, which

will not only add thousands of square feet to our existing laboratory space,

but will also provide new space for comprehensive patient care,†added

Whittemore.

 

 

`````````````````````````

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 both the immune

system and the nervous system, often results in lifelong disease and

disability.

 

The WPI is the first institute in the world dedicated to X associated

neuro-immune disease (XAND), and other X associated diseases, integrating

patient treatment, basic and clinical research and medical education.

 

 

 

 

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