Using a mosaic virus that grows in black-eyed peas, nanoengineers developed a new treatment thatmetastatic cancerscould keep away from the lungs. The approach not only slowed tumor growth in metastatic breast cancer or melanoma, but also dramatically prevented or minimized its spread. These cancers were found in the lungs of healthy laboratory mice that had been exposed to the disease.
Novel therapeutic approach for metastasis with mosaic virus
The experimental treatment involves a physical injection of a plant virus known as mosaic virus. The virus is harmless to animals and humans. However, the body recognizes it as a foreign invader, triggering an immune response that makes it more effective at fighting cancer. The idea is to use the plant virus to support the body's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells in the lungs. To do this, the team developed nanoparticles that target a protein in the lungs called S100A9. In the lungs, these nanoparticles recruit immune cells so that the tumors cannot attack. Researchers conducted both preventive and treatment studies. Experimental animals treated with this showed a dramatic reduction in the spread of cancer to their lungs compared to untreated mice. In the treatment studies, the researchers administered the nanoparticles to mice with metastatic tumors in the lungs. These laboratory mice then had smaller lung tumors and survived longer than untreated animals.
What's remarkable about the study results is that this mosaic virus showed effectiveness against extremely aggressive cancer cell lines, the authors said. Furthermore, any change in survival or lung metastasis was quite striking. Such a treatment option could be particularly helpful for patients who have already had a cancerous tumor removed. Rather, it would be given to patients who are at high risk of their tumors growing back as metastases. Before the new therapy option is outthis studyTo reach a finished stage, researchers need to carry out more detailed immunological and pharmacological studies. Future research will also analyze how this can be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy, checkpoint drugs or radiation.
