They're now making monoclonal antibodies that help generally with various autoimmune conditions. A quick Google search is showing one "Stelara" can be used for a few skin, joint, and gut autoimmune conditions. There is also a similar medicine from a competitor. If Meniere's is partly autoimmune, then is it possible that one of the current -umab (monoclonal antibody medication) medicines could help with Meniere's? What even is exactly the mechanism here, for those whose etiology is herpes-virus related. Is it just the virus attacking the nerve? Or is it the body's RESPONSE to the virus, and the immune system has some trouble differentiating, and ends up damaging the labyrinth?
Meniere's autoimmune meniere's disease autoimmune Arnold and Niedermeyer [32] evaluated the presence of higher IgG antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the perilymph of patients with Meniere's disease. This result supported the hypothesis that the herpes simplex virus may play an important role in the aetiopathogenesis of Meniere's disease. Higher titres of IgG against adenovirus (ADV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) were found in patients with Meniere's disease compared with a control group. These findings support the hypothesis that adenovirus and varicella zoster virus may be important in the development of Meniere's disease [39]. The mechanism by which viral infection can cause Meniere's disease is different, due to the large variability between the viruses and host antigens. First, the viruses must have an affinity for the inner ear structures. Second, viral invasion of the endolymphatic sac is impeded by immunological mechanisms under normal conditions [40]. The antigen may be present at all times but hidden from the host's immune system unless there is an active viral infection. Release or exposure of the virus may occur as a result of cell damage or destruction during viral infection. Such previously sequestered antigens would be recognised as foreign by the host, and the resulting immune response may lead to the production of autoantibodies and possibly to a further cycle of tissue damage through autoimmunity. A possible source of the chemical injury to the labyrinth could be the release of infectious nucleic acids from vestibular nerve terminals following reactivation of the virus in the vestibular ganglion. Such nucleic acids have a level of infectivity unlike that of a live virus, but are neutralised by the release of nucleases by blood components [41]. The hypothesis that Meniere's disease is a viral neuropathy is supported by the significant loss of vestibular ganglion cells compared to age-matched temporal bones [42], [43]. Reactivation of the latent neurotropic virus is dependent on viral load [44].When the viral load reaches a critical level, reactivation of the virus overcomes the host immune response with the release of viral nucleic acids. Release of such toxic products in the labyrinth causes a labyrinthitis, which eventually leads to fibrosis in the vestibular cistern and endolymphatic hydrops.
The idea is good, but there are no studies on which doctors could base the prescription of this medication. Moreover, this medication costs around six thousand dollars per injection.♀️
I have taken an injection similar to Stelara for 20 years, which has had zero effect on my menieres symptoms.