Genetics

Cladribine, a short-course oral therapy for multiple sclerosis, has long puzzled researchers with its lasting benefits. A new study reveals that its secret may lie in selectively reducing memory B cells—the immune cells that help “remember” past threats but, in MS, can fuel damaging inflammation. By reshaping the balance of the immune system rather than suppressing it broadly, cladribine creates a calmer, more controlled environment that could explain its durable effectiveness. This discovery not only sheds light on how cladribine works but also points to memory B cells as a key target in the fight against MS.