SOT Therapy for Lyme Disease: What the Research Shows
Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) for Lyme disease has gained attention as a potential new approach—but current evidence remains preliminary, and important clinical questions are still unanswered.
In their article
Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) as a Potential Treatment for Viral Infections and Lyme Disease: Preliminary Results,
Apostolou and colleagues describe findings from a study evaluating the potential role of SOT in patients with viral infections and Lyme disease.
The study included 115 patients with either Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), or Lyme Disease.
How SOT Therapy Works
Oligonucleotide therapy was administered intravenously to participants. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was then performed to evaluate the effect of SOT on microbial DNA levels.
Treatments were designed to inhibit proteins that are essential for microbial survival.
DNA was isolated from both cells and serum of individuals with Lyme disease. The authors targeted outer surface proteins (OspA and OspB) found on Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes.
According to the authors, one or two SOT administrations were associated with a statistically significant decrease in DNA copies in Lyme disease patients.
This finding reflects a laboratory change—but whether it translates into symptom improvement remains unclear.
While therapies targeting microbial DNA are of scientific interest, reducing PCR-detected DNA does not necessarily mean that patients experience clinical improvement. Carefully designed clinical trials are needed to determine whether SOT improves symptoms or outcomes in Lyme disease patients.
Unanswered Questions About SOT Therapy
Research Genetic Cancer Center (RGCC) laboratories in Greece have produced SOT for the treatment of Lyme disease.
Apostolou and colleagues reported reductions in detected DNA copies. However, the study was not designed to determine whether lowering DNA copies improves patient symptoms or outcomes.
The study also did not evaluate long-term safety or overall clinical effectiveness.
In addition, the authors did not address how this therapy might perform in more complex clinical settings, including:
- Co-infections such as Bartonella or Babesia
- Persistent forms of Borrelia
- Biofilms that may protect bacteria from treatment
These factors are commonly considered in broader discussions of Persistent Lyme Disease Mechanisms and may influence treatment response.
What SOT Therapy Means for Patients
Early findings like these can be encouraging, particularly for patients seeking additional treatment options. However, it is important to distinguish between laboratory results and real-world clinical outcomes.
At present, there is not enough high-quality evidence to determine whether SOT therapy is safe, effective, or appropriate for routine use in Lyme disease.
Further research—including controlled clinical trials—is needed before clear recommendations can be made.
Emerging therapies may show promise in early studies, but careful evaluation is essential before they can be widely adopted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOT therapy?
Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) is an experimental treatment designed to target microbial genetic material using synthetic oligonucleotides.
Does SOT therapy cure Lyme disease?
Current evidence is insufficient to determine whether SOT can cure Lyme disease or reliably improve symptoms.
Is SOT therapy FDA approved for Lyme disease?
SOT therapy is not currently FDA approved for the treatment of Lyme disease.
What evidence supports SOT therapy for Lyme disease?
Preliminary studies have reported reductions in Borrelia DNA copies detected by PCR testing, but clinical outcomes and long-term safety remain uncertain.
Clinical Takeaway
SOT therapy for Lyme disease remains investigational. Early laboratory findings may be promising, but there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether SOT improves clinical outcomes or provides safe, durable benefit for Lyme disease patients.
Related Articles
- New Treatments for Lyme Disease on the Horizon?
- Who Is More Likely to Fail Lyme Disease Treatment?
- 6 Reasons for Delayed Treatment of Lyme Disease
- Persistent Lyme Disease Mechanisms
References
- Apostolou P, Iliopoulos A, Beis G, Papasotiriou I. Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) as a Potential Treatment for Viral Infections and Lyme Disease: Preliminary Results. Infect Dis Rep. 2022;14(6):824-836. doi:10.3390/idr14060084
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
Has methylene blue been used for treatment of the various tickborne diseases? In reading about this material and its ability to stimulate mitochondrial electron transfer during terminal oxidase function leading to production of ATP, it is found that MB also has characteristics well worth looking at, perhaps as a co-reactant with other medicinals such as atovaquone, zithromax, proguanil, and others. MB is not well researched but there have been preliminary tests showing it is a legit candidate for trial.
I don’t know methylene blue well enough to comments. Sorry
my daughter is on this from our doctor – he really likes it
Does anyone do Sot therapy for bartonella henselae and ebv in NY?Is so do you know how many treatments and total cost?
I just scheduled mine near Albany. The SOT itself was $2500 but it was also $500 for the initial visit, and Ozone dialysis was recommended beforehand so the SOT would have a better chance of efficacy. That was about $2500 additional.