Abstract: An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Abstract: A vaccine composition including a plant virus particle linked to an HER2 antigen is described. The vaccine composition can be used for methods of treating or preventing an HER2-expressing cancer in a subject by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the vaccine composition.

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: Photodynamic virus particles including a plant virus particle associated with a photosensitizing agent are described. Methods of treating cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the photodynamic virus particles and illuminating a cancer-bearing region of the subject to activate the photodynamic virus particles are also described.

Abstract: A vaccine composition including a plant virus particle linked to an HER2 antigen is described. The vaccine composition can be used for methods of treating or preventing an HER2-expressing cancer in a subject by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the vaccine composition.

Abstract: An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Abstract: Anti-lymphoma plant virus particles are described. The anti-lymphoma plant virus particles include a filamentous or rod-shaped plant virus particle linked to an antimitotic agent. A therapeutically effective amount of an anti-lymphoma plant virus particle can be administered to a subject to provide a method of treating lymphoma.

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: An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Abstract: A peptide for targeting MRP-14 has an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 9, and SEQ ID NO: 10.

Abstract: Photodynamic virus particles including a plant virus particle associated with a photosensitizing agent are described. Methods of treating cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the photodynamic virus particles and illuminating a cancer-bearing region of the subject to activate the photodynamic virus particles are also described.

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

Abstract: A vaccine composition including a plant virus particle linked to an HER2 antigen is described. The vaccine composition can be used for methods of treating or preventing an HER2-expressing cancer in a subject by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the vaccine composition.

Abstract: An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Abstract: Virus particle multimers and methods of making and using such virus particle multimer are described. Virus particle multimers are constructed by preparing a plurality of asymmetrically functionalized virus particles bearing one or more functional groups and contacting the asymmetrically functionalized virus particles with a first linker molecule that reacts with the functional groups to form a virus particle multimer that includes a plurality of asymmetrically functionalized virus particles connected by the linker molecule. The asymmetrically functionalized virus particles are typically prepared by attaching the virus particles to a support surface to allow asymmetrical functionalization to be introduced.