Abstract: Provided herein are nanoparticles comprising peptides that target checkpoint inhibitors such PD-1 as well as methods for their use. Peptides may be conjugated to nanoparticles such as cowpea mosaic virus or a cowpea chlorotic mottle virus. Nanoparticles provided herein display efficacy against tumors in a mouse model of disseminated and aggressive ovarian cancer.

Abstract: An agent is described that includes a plant virus particle or VLP conjugate to TRAIL. Associating TRAIL with the plant virus particle or VLP serves to both target cancer cells and induce their apoptosis. The agent can therefore be used for a method of treating cancer in a subject.

Abstract: A nanoparticle for diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or theranostic applications includes a rod-shaped plant virus like particle (VLP), one or more gadolinium T1 contrast agents conjugated to an interior surface of the VLP, and a layer of polydopamine (PDA) coated over a portion of the exterior surface of the VLP.

Abstract: An intratumoral immunotherapy for treating cancer in a subject in need includes a therapeutically effective amounts of cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), CPMV virus-like particles, potato virus X (PVX), and/or PVX virus-like particles formulated for in situ administration to cancer of the subject, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of CPMV, CPMV virus-like particles, PVX, and/or PVX virus-like particles is an amount effective to provide a durable and systemic anticancer response against cancer metastasis and recurrence in the subject, and the CPMV, CPMV virus-like particles, PVX, and/or PVX virus-like particles are not used as a vehicle for drug or antigen delivery.

Abstract: A nanoparticle includes an icosahedral-shaped plant virus particle; an RNAi construct; and one or more endolysosomal release agents, wherein the RNAi construct is noncovalently loaded within the icosahedral-shaped plant virus particle.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel, multimodal in situ vaccination approach to treat cancer by combining ablation with administration of the naturally occurring plant virus or virus-like particle (VLP) nanoparticles such as cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), a plant virus-based immunoadjuvant.

Abstract: A nanoparticle construct includes a plurality of plant virus or virus-like particles electrostatically coupled to a plurality of nanoparticles having a different surface charge than the plant virus or virus-like particles. The nanoparticle construct upon delivery to a subject can provide a sustained release of the plant virus or virus-like particles and/or nanoparticles to a cell or tissue of the subject.

Abstract: A neoadjuvant for use in treating cancer includes an in situ vaccine and optionally an immune check point therapeutic. The in situ vaccine includes at least one of cowpea mosaic virus or cowpea mosaic virus-like particles.

Abstract: A melt processed viral nanoparticle construct for delivery of virus or virus-like particles to a site of interest includes a degradable polymer matrix and a plurality of virus or virus-like particles encapsulated within the degradable polymer matrix. The nanoparticle construct upon administration to the site of interest providing a sustained release of the virus or virus-like particles and/or nanoparticles upon degradation of the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Proteinaceous nanoparticles can be used to deliver large payloads of active ingredients, which is advantageous in medicine and agriculture. However, the conjugation of hydrophobic ligands to hydrophilic nanocarriers such as plant viral nanoparticles (plant VNPs) can result in aggregation by reducing overall solubility. Provided herein are improved methods for ligand conjugations, as well as the particles prepared by these methods. The disclosed methods promote efficient bioconjugation and prevent the aggregation that accompanies conventional bioconjugation methods, thus improving the stability, homogeneity, and translational potential of plant VNP conjugates in medicine and agriculture.

Abstract: Anticancer virus particles are described. Anticancer virus particles are filamentous or rod-shaped plant virus particle containing an anticancer agent within the interior of the virus particle. The anticancer agent can be attached either covalently or non-covalently within the interior of the virus particle. A therapeutically effective amount of an anticancer virus particle can be administered to a subject identified as having cancer to provide a method of cancer treatment.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer in a subject that includes administering to the cancer a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-cancer virus particle, the virus particle including a rod-shaped plant virus or virus-like particle and mitoxantrone (MTO) or analogs thereof, wherein the MTO is loaded into the interior channel of the rod-shaped plant virus particle.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof includes administering in situ to the cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a virus or virus-like particle.

Abstract: A pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) carrier comprising a PepMV particle that has been modified to carry an imaging agent or anticancer agent is described. The PepMV carrier can be used in a method of targeting cancer cells and tissue by administering it to a subject. Cancer tissue targeted by the PepMV carrier can be imaged using an imaging agent, or treated using an anticancer agent.

Abstract: An anti-cancer virus composition including an icosahedral-shaped plant virus or virus-like particle linked to a HER2 antigen is described. The anti-cancer virus composition can be used for methods of treating or decreasing the risk of developing a HER2-expressing cancer in a subject by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the anti-cancer virus composition.

Abstract: An agent is described that includes a plant virus particle or VLP conjugate to TRAIL. Associating TRAIL with the plant virus particle or VLP serves to both target cancer cells and induce their apoptosis. The agent can therefore be used for a method of treating cancer in a subject.

Abstract: Provided are compositions, methods and uses relating to one or more virus or virus-like particle(s), each of which comprises at least one epitope(s) of a pathogen causing the disease or one or more of the cholesterol checkpoint protein(s).

Abstract: A method of targeting cancer tissue in a subject includes administering to the subject a plurality of functionalized Tymovirus virus or virus-like particles loaded with or conjugated to an imaging agent, a therapeutic agent or a targeting agent.

Abstract: A melt processed viral nanoparticle construct for delivery of virus or virus-like particles to a site of interest includes a degradable polymer matrix and a plurality of virus or virus-like particles encapsulated within the degradable polymer matrix. The nanoparticle construct upon administration to the site of interest providing a sustained release of the virus or virus-like particles and/or nanoparticles upon degradation of the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Provided are compositions, methods and uses relating to an adjuvant which comprises, or consists essentially of, or consists of a cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) particle and its combination with one or more antigens or cells, such as an irradiated cancer cell comprising the one or more antigens.