Storage stability of cowpea mosaic virus cancer drug candidate – a two-year update

To evaluate the structural stability and biological activity of cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) after 2 years of storage. CPMV was stored at room temperature (RT), 4°C, and −20°C for 2 years. Structural stability was assayed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), native and denaturing gel electrophoresis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Biological activity was assessed by anti-tumor efficacy studies using a B16F10 dermal mouse melanoma model and by a cowpea plant infection challenge. Storage at −20°C preserved CPMV’s structural properties and biological activity. Storage at 4°C caused aggregation, S-protein cleavage, and RNA degradation – samples stored at 4°C had decreased anti-tumor efficacy yet retained plant infectivity. CPMV stored at RT was degraded and lost biological activity. Frozen storage allows CPMV to maintain structural and biological stability for at least 2 years.