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.
  • ryannathans@aussie.zone
    1·
    7 months ago

    Why this virus? Why not any virus? It’s just “waking” the immune system and inducing inflammation?

    • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆OP
      51·
      7 months ago

      According to the paper, the reason is that CPMV is non-infectious in mammals. It stimulates the immune system by activating pattern recognition receptors. PRRs are molecules on the surface of immune cells that recognize molecules associated with pathogens. When CPMV activates PRRs, it triggers a signaling pathway that leads to the release of immune cells and inflammatory molecules. This immune response can help to kill cancer cells.

      https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202308237

        • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆OP
          31·
          7 months ago

          No idea, I’m not a biologist, and the study doesn’t make it clear whether other plant viruses would have a similar effect on the immune system.