A plant virus from humble black-eyed peas has shown extraordinary promise in the fight against cancer, sparking a powerful immune attack on cancer cells without infecting human cells. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered that the cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) uniquely triggers potent interferons and immune responses, making it a low-cost, plant-grown immunotherapy.
In a study published in Cell Biomaterials, the team found that CPMV stimulates type I, II, and III interferons, which are well-known anti-cancer proteins. Unlike a similar virus, the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), CPMV activates toll-like receptor 7, a critical component in priming antiviral and anti-tumor immune responses.
This breakthrough has significant implications for cancer treatment, as CPMV can be produced using molecular farming, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional therapies. The team is now working towards advancing CPMV to clinical trials, with the goal of developing a new, potent immunotherapy for cancer patients.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724232403.htm