Viruses found in friar beans can revolutionize cancer treatment: trains the immune system to combat cancer cells.
A virus that usually infects Frade beans (or, in English, Black-Eyed Peas, like the pop band), curiously, it does not make us weak like most viruses: it makes us even stronger and can become a strong weapon against cancer, according to researchers at the University of California in San Diego.
The virus, called CMPVwhich affects the ring spot of frade beans, never encourages our immune system without causing disease.
Unlike other plant viruses, does not infect human cells, but is recognized by the immune system as a threatwhich triggers an intense response, defends a study on the 22nd at Cell Biomaterials.
In experiments conducted with rats and dogs with tumors, direct injection of CPMV in tumors caused the recruitment of immunity cells such as neutrophils and macrophages. The active virus at the same time B and T cells, creating an “immune memory” that allows the body to recognize and combat future tumor cells.
One of the central issues was to realize why the virus is effective, unlike other similar viruses, such as the CCMV virus, according to. Both are absorbed similarly by human cells, but only CPMV triggers an effective response.
The secret seems to be in the way its RNA is processed: CPMV active cellular receivers (such as TLR7) associated with the production of interfereproteins with antitumor properties. The CCMV active only inflammatory interleucines, without direct effect on the elimination of tumors.
In addition to effectiveness, CPMV has another great advantage: can be cultivated cheaply and sustainably in plantsusing only soil, water and sunlight, which makes it an alternative accessible to conventional therapy.
The team is now preparing the next steps for clinical trials in humans.
