B Lymphocyte Subset Analysis in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
B Lymphocyte Subset Analysis in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
IRAS ID
141255
Contact name
Coziana Ciurtin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint UCL/UCLH/Royal Free Biomedical Research Unit
Research summary
The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is used to describe a clinical syndrome characterised by chronic fatigue, post-exercise malaise and a range of symptoms, not explained by any specific abnormality. Opinions vary as to whether in most cases the problem is due to some unidentified change affecting the immune system or to changes limited to higher mental function, of whatever origin. In the absence of any consistent objective marker there is a serious problem in identifying cohorts of patients suitable for studies of potential therapies.
CFS can be an extremely disabling condition and is not uncommon. However, until recently, no treatment other than psychological support and rehabilitation has been available. In the absence of convincing leads, research into potential objective markers has in the past often been of poor quality. However, recent evidence of efficacy of B cell depletion therapy in CFS have provided new motivation to identify consistent markers that can guide clinical practice.
Bansal’s group recently reported (Bradley et al., 2013) that a cohort of CFS patients referred to an NHS CFS service showed changes in B cell subpopulations consistent with an abnormal immune response.
The proposal is to repeat the experiments carried out by Bansal and colleagues under the following conditions:
1. The measurements will be made at UCL by an independent team familiar with B cell subsets in patients with immune abnormalities under the supervision of Dr G Cambridge and Dr M Leandro.
2. The measurements will be extended to include further markers, including CD5, to establish whether a more precise distinction (consistent with the previous findings) between CFS patients and healthy controls can be identified.
3. The measurements will be carried out on patients drawn from Dr Bansal’s practice, but not included in the published study, and also from Dr Saul Berkovitz’s practice at UCLH.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0388
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion