virus against tumor tagged posts

Inhaled or injected into tumors of several types of cancer, the shell of cowpea mosaic virus with infectious components removed, in blue, turned on the immune system in mice to wipe out tumors and protect against metastases. Credit: Nicole Steinmetz

Scientists the 100yo in-situ vaccination idea. The idea was to put something inside a tumor and disrupt the environment that suppresses the immune system, thus allowing the natural defense system to attack the malignancy. They used the hard coating of cowpea mosaic virus, with no detectible side effects, which are a common problem with traditional therapies and some immunotherapies.

“The cowpea virus-based nanoparticles act like a switch that turns on the immune system to recognize and fight against the tumor – as well as to remember it,” said ...