Atara Biotherapeutics

Our Focus

MS: Aiming to address today's unmet need.

Epstein-Barr virus and its role in MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The disease has increasingly debilitating effects, from initial visual disturbances and fatigue to a wide range of physical disablements and cognitive impairments, including dementia. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been found to be the leading cause and potential driver of MS, with a 32-fold increased risk after infection in genetically predisposed individuals.

Up to 100% of all people with MS are EBV positive.

Almost 3 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with MS.1

0 treatments available that can fundamentally alter disease progression.

1Atlas of MS, MS International Federation.

There are different factors associated with increased risk of developing MS.

The interplay between environmental (smoking, 
vitamin D, and EBV) and genetic factors (family history, genes) determines a person’s overall risk of getting MS.

While all these factors can play a role, being EBV positive (EBV+) is the only risk factor that may be required for the development of MS.

At Atara, we are investigating ATA188 as a new approach that specifically targets EBV-infected immune cells in progressive MS.

Our ATA188 Study

The players in MS

MS is believed to be caused by the interaction of several different types of immune cells and proteins. These are some of the players that may be involved in the MS disease process:
EBV

EBV

B CELL

B CELL

EBV-INFECTED<br> B CELL

EBV-INFECTED
B CELL

T CELL

T CELL

Normally kills EBV-
infected B cells
AUTOIMMUNE T CELL

AUTOIMMUNE T CELL

Can target self-proteins like myelin
ANTIBODY

ANTIBODY

Identifies and binds foreign substances as part of an immune response
MYELIN

MYELIN

Protective layer that insulates nerves

How MS develops

EBV: A destructive cascade

MS is a chronic disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been found to be the leading cause and potential driver of MS, with a 32-fold increased risk after infection in genetically predisposed individuals.

During infection, EBV enters local B cells in the tonsils, immortalizing them by conferring abnormal survival and growth advantages.

In some cases, these EBV-infected B cells are autoreactive, inappropriately acting against self cells or tissues, driving inflammation.

EBV infection forms long-lived memory B cells and stays in the body for life.

These autoreactive B cells can traffic and accumulate in the brain where they drive destructive inflammation.

Within the central nervous system, the EBV-infected B cells develop into
plasma cells that secrete autoantibodies that can attack myelin-producing cells in error.

The myelin sheath helps the nerve fibers communicate with the brain and the rest of the body.

The autoreactive EBV-infected B cells can also activate autoreactive T cells that further drive inflammation and can recruit other inflammatory cells.

In MS, this can lead to permanent damage or deterioration of the nerve cells in the CNS.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and its role in MS

Watch this video to explore how EBV affects the central nervous system (CNS), leading to the development of MS in genetically predisposed patients.

Resources

Here, you’ll find links to MS-related organizations and support groups.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA)

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA)

The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)

The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)

See what we’re developing for people with MS.

Pipeline