Press Clips from 2024
October 11, 2024
Plant virus-based immunotherapies could halt cancer metastasis
Researchers from the University of California San Diego, led by biomedical engineer Nicole Steinmetz, engineered a new plant-based immunotherapy. They chose a plant virus -- cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) -- to mount an immune response against metastatic cancer in mice. Their approach, published in Advanced Science, could offer a safer treatment than traditional chemotherapies. Full Story
May 24, 2024
Plant virus that attacks black-eyed peas also kills cancer tumors
In the field of cancer research, unexpected heroes sometimes emerge from the most surprising sources. Who would have thought that a virus related to the humble black-eyed pea plant could hold the key to a potential breakthrough in cancer treatment? Full Story
May 22, 2024
Plant Virus Fights Cancers in Mice With 'Widespread Effectiveness'
A virus that infects black-eyed pea plants has shown "widespread effectiveness" in helping thwart an array of metastatic cancers in mice, researchers report in a new study, offering hope the virus might hold similar potential for humans. Full Story
May 22, 2024
Plant virus nanomaterial treatment targets metastatic cancers in mice
UC San Diego researchers have published a study unveiling an experimental treatment that shows success in slowing the growth of metastatic tumors in various forms of cancer within mice. This breakthrough was facilitated by harvesting and administering the cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) to the animals. The experiment's full methodology and findings were published in the Advanced Science journal. Full Story
May 20, 2024
Plant virus-derived treatment shows promise against metastatic cancers
An experimental treatment made from a plant virus is effective at protecting against a broad range of metastatic cancers in mice, shows a new study from the University of California San Diego. The treatment, composed of nanoparticles fashioned from the cowpea mosaic virus-;a virus that infects black-eyed pea plants-;showed remarkable success in improving survival rates and suppressing the growth of metastatic tumors across various cancer models, including colon, ovarian, melanoma and breast cancer. Full Story
May 20, 2024
Plant-killing virus may hold the surprising cure for metastatic cancers
A virus that infects and kills plants may hold the key to defeating cancers that spread throughout the human body. Cowpea mosaic virus, a scourge of the black-eyed pea plant, is harmless to people and other mammals. With that in mind, researchers at UC San Diego used the virus's nanoparticles to create a new way of suppressing tumor growth and preventing cancer from returning. Testing this potential drug in mice, the team found that the cowpea mosaic virus improved survival rates among animals with metastatic tumors due to colorectal, ovarian, skin, and breast cancers. Full Story
May 20, 2024
Plant virus-based treatment effective against metastatic cancer
In a recent study, researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed an experimental treatment made from a plant virus that shows effectiveness in protecting against a broad range of metastatic cancers in mice. The treatment uses nanoparticles derived from the cowpea mosaic virus, which naturally infects black-eyed pea plants. The results are promising, with improved survival rates and suppression of metastatic tumours in various cancer models, including colon, ovarian, melanoma, and breast cancer. Full Story
May 20, 2024
UC San Diego study finds plant virus may slow the progression of cancer
New research from the University of California, San Diego found that a plant virus may be effective in preventing the growth of cancerous tumors. The study, published in Advanced Science, looked at a treatment made out of nanoparticles from the cowpea mosaic virus, which infects black-eyed pea plants. The research was conducted by UC San Diego researchers led by Professor Nicole Steinmetz, director of the Center for Nano-Immuno Engineering and co-director of the Center for Engineering in Cancer. Full Story
May 17, 2024
UCSD unearths new cancer treatment
The treatment is made up from the cowpea mosaic plant virus and has shown remarkable success in improving survival rates and stopping the growth of cancerous tumors. Full Story