Aim
To investigate a minimally studied plant virus nanoparticle, alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), for ISV treatment of 4T1, the very aggressive and metastatic murine triple-negative breast cancer model. Materials &
Background
Preclinical and clinical studies show that local and systemic antitumor efficacy is achievable by in situ vaccination (ISV) using plant virus nanoparticles in which immunostimulatory reagents are directly administered into the tumor rather than systemically.
Conclusion
Mechanistic studies show that ISV with AMV increases costimulatory molecules, inflammatory cytokines and immune effector cell infiltration and downregulates immune-suppressive molecules.
Methods
AMV nanoparticles were propagated and characterized. Their treatment impact on in vivo tumors were analyzed using determination of inherent immunogenicity, cytokine analysis, western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry methodologies.
Results
AMV used as an ISV significantly slowed down tumor progression and prolonged survival through immune mechanisms (p < 0.001).