Supportive oligonucleotide therapy, or SOT, is a treatment that holds great promise in the fight against chronic infections. It involves the identification of gene sequences of various targets, such as Lyme disease and Epstein-Barr virus, from a blood sample. The lab then produces a specific oligonucleotide therapy to silence the infection’s genes needed for survival. This innovative approach is proving to be a promising therapy for difficult-to-treat infections and offers hope for healthcare professionals and patients.
How Does SOT Work?
Viruses and bacteria have genes that are essential for survival. After a person is diagnosed with Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, or other chronic infections, their blood is sent to a laboratory where a specific oligonucleotide therapy is created. The SOT targets a specific sequence of genes necessary for the pathogen’s survival. By blocking specific messenger RNA (mRNA), gene expression is inhibited, and the infection cannot produce proteins for metabolism and survival.
How is SOT Administered?
The SOT created for the specific gene sequence identified in the patient’s blood sample is sent from the laboratory to the ordering physician’s clinic. SOT is administered intravenously and is at work around the clock for up to six months. Research has shown that administering one or two SOT treatments for Lyme disease and co-infections significantly reduces genetic material. Viruses require two to three treatments to significantly reduce viral genetic material. Treatments can be administered about a month apart.
Patients must be off certain medications and supplements at least two weeks before the blood draw for the SOT and two weeks before the administration of the SOT. During the administration of the SOT, patients are pre-treated intravenously with medication to improve the outcome. Be sure to talk with your physician about which drugs or supplements need to be stopped and the pre-treatment medication before receiving SOT.
SOT For Multiple Infections
Since SOT targets a specific gene region of a pathogen, multiple SOT treatments would need to be administered if a person is positive for multiple bacterial or viral infections. Different SOTs need to be administered at least a week apart.
SOT is Used For The following Infections
- Babesia duncani, microti, odocoilei, and others
- Bartonella henselae, quintana, and others
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Epstein Barr virus (EBV)
- Ehrlichia
- Human simplex virus (HSV) 1& 2
- Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6)
- Lyme disease (Borrelia), multiple species
- And others
SOT For Lyme Disease
A clinical trial1 published in 2022 studied SOT’s effect against Lyme disease. The patients had positive IgG or IgM antibodies against Lyme disease and then were confirmed with a PCR test. All patients received a specific SOT based on their lab results. After administering one or two SOT treatments, the results showed a statistically significant improvement in objective measurements.
95% of people with Lyme disease, Bartonella, and Babesia had favorable clinical outcomes after receiving SOT. A positive outcome may be complete or partial improvement or stabilization of the disease.
The main treatment option for chronic Lyme disease is the combination of multiple antibiotics. Currently, no antibiotics available were developed for Lyme disease, so all medications are “borrowed” from other infections. Patients often need antibiotic regimens for months or years, and the outcome is uncertain. Given these limitations, SOT may be a promising therapy for chronic Lyme disease patients.
SOT For Epstein Barr Virus
In the same research study, investigators looked at SOT’s effect on Epstein Barr virus EBV). The study group was larger than the Lyme disease group, and participants received one to three doses of SOT targeted at genes necessary for the virus’s replication. After receiving SOT, the outcome of the EBV-infected patients was significantly improved. Laboratory data indicates that 91% of people with viral infections had a positive clinical outcome after receiving SOT.
A Promising Therapy for Chronic Lyme Disease and Viral Infections
Successful treatment of chronic tickborne and viral infections has proven to be challenging. The currently available therapies were not developed for these infections or to be used for the chronic forms of these microbes. SOT is also known as antisense therapy, and the FDA has approved other antisense medications for neurological diseases. By blocking genes required for viral and bacterial survival, SOT is an effective therapy for chronic tickborne and viral infections.
