ACE2 Polypeptide Tumor Therapy via Angiotensin Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer treatments often have severe side-effects and are not effective for all patients, particularly those with advanced cancer, highlighting the need for innovative therapies that utilize endogenous substances with minimal side-effects.

Innovation Solution

The use of a polypeptide with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity to treat tumors, specifically by converting Ang II to Ang 1-7, thereby inhibiting tumor cell growth and reducing inflammation without the severe side-effects associated with existing therapies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cancer treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery) are used, then tumor removal effectiveness is improved, but severe side-effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor removal effectivenessVSAvoidside-effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces ACE2 enzyme as an intermediary substance that mediates the conversion of Ang II to Ang 1-7. This intermediary approach allows tumor treatment through a biochemical pathway rather than direct cytotoxic or radiative damage, thereby achieving tumor inhibition while avoiding the severe side-effects of conventional therapies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the body's own endogenous ACE2 enzyme and the natural renin-angiotensin system pathway to treat cancer. By harnessing the body's existing biochemical mechanisms rather than introducing foreign cytotoxic agents, the treatment achieves therapeutic effects while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If chemotherapy is used to treat advanced cancer, then tumor growth inhibition is improved, but patient survival is reduced due to treatment toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor growth inhibitionVSAvoidpatient survival
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effects of Ang II (which promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis, and inflammation) into beneficial effects by using ACE2 to convert it into Ang 1-7. This transformation turns a pro-tumorigenic substance into an anti-tumorigenic one, inhibiting tumor growth while protecting patient survival through the protective effects of Ang 1-7.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stress or pressure

If ACE inhibitors are used to lower Ang II levels, then blood pressure control is improved, but tumor therapy effectiveness is limited due to incomplete Ang II reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure controlVSAvoidtumor therapy effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from inhibiting ACE enzyme activity (which only partially reduces Ang II) to directly converting Ang II to Ang 1-7 using ACE2. This parameter change in the biochemical pathway achieves more complete Ang II reduction and simultaneously produces the beneficial Ang 1-7, thereby improving both blood pressure control and tumor therapy effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

ACE2 activity effectively stops tumor cell growth, reduces inflammation, and prevents neovascularization, offering an efficient therapeutic strategy for various tumors with minimal side-effects, particularly when used in combination with conventional therapies.

Implementation Method 1

ACE2 is an enzyme of the peptidase family S1 which hydrolyses angiotensin II to form the heptapeptide angiotensin 1-7

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS8946162B2Treatment of tumors
Publication Date: 2015.02.03 APEIRON BIOLOGICS AG

AI summary

The invention provides for innovative improvements in tumor therapy, particularly therapies which are conducted using endogenous substances and which have no or only mild side-effects. Accordingly the present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing tumor diseases other than lung cancer comprising administering a polypeptide with an angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 (ACE2) activity.