Harvard Professor Alberto Ascherio Receives Breakthrough Prize for Groundbreaking Research on EBV Infection and Multiple Sclerosis
Harvard professor Alberto Ascherio has been awarded the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his pioneering research that establishes Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a leading cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). The prize recognizes Ascherio’s 25-year effort to identify the root cause of this devastating disease.
Ascherio’s team used data from over 10 million U.S. soldiers monitored over a 20-year period to find a significant link between EBV infection and MS incidence. Their analysis found that infection with EBV increased the risk of developing MS by 32-fold, suggesting that EBV is the leading cause of MS.
This breakthrough discovery revolutionizes the field of MS research and has already led to the development of a vaccine and antibody drugs targeting EBV. Ascherio shared the prize with Steven Hauser of the University of California, San Francisco, who established the role of B cells in MS and developed B-cell based treatments.
Ascherio’s research is a testament to his dedication to finding the root cause of diseases and intervening at that level. He has been working on this topic for over 25 years, driven by his desire to prevent diseases and address their causes. His work has focused on identifying biomarkers and modifiable risk factors for MS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
The Breakthrough Prize recognizes Ascherio’s significant contribution to the field of MS research and acknowledges the impact of his work on the development of new treatments and potential cures. The prize ceremony will be held in April, and the event will also recognize other trailblazers in science.
Source: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/alberto-ascherio-receives-breakthrough-prize-for-groundbreaking-research-on-multiple-sclerosis