(35c) Nanoengineering Gone Viral: Plant Viruses Against Cancer

Nanoscale engineering is revolutionizing the way we detect, prevent and treat diseases. Viruses are playing a special role in these developments because they can function as prefabricated nanoparticles. We utilize and build-upon the high-precision assemblies of plant viruses and repurpose them as platform technologies targeting health applications. We have developed a library of plant virus-based nanoparticles and through structure-function studies we are beginning to understand how to tailor these materials appropriately for immunotherapy applications. I will discuss the application and development of cowpea mosaic virus as a drug candidate for cancer immunotherapy; we demonstrate potent and tissue/tumor-type agnostic potency against metastatic tumors in mouse tumor models and canine cancer patients. Efficacy is demonstrated as solo-therapy as well as combination therapy or use in the neo/adjuvant setting.