Biomarker Panel Using Affinity Ligands for Early Breast Cancer Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast cancer detection methods, particularly mammography, face challenges such as operational restrictions, low participation rates, and false positive/negative results, necessitating improved minimal-invasive tests for early detection.
Innovation Solution
A biomarker panel comprising nucleic acid and peptide affinity ligands for Prolactin, Transferrin, and optionally Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), CYFRA 21-1, Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), and CA19-9, which detects altered serum marker levels to facilitate early breast cancer detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging-based techniques like mammography are used for early detection, then detection capability is improved, but operational restrictions and low participation rates worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/imaging-based mammography system with a biochemical detection system using liquid biopsy. The composition detects cancer-related biomarkers (proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites) in blood or other body fluids through chemical interactions, eliminating the need for physical imaging procedures and improving accessibility and participation rates while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biomarker molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites) as intermediaries to detect cancer presence. Instead of directly imaging tumors, the composition detects cancer-related substances circulating in body fluids, serving as a mediator that indicates cancer presence without requiring direct visualization, thus improving ease of operation and participation.
2Measurement precision
If imaging-based techniques are used, then detection capability is improved, but false positive and false negative results increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into multiple independent detection targets - simultaneously detecting multiple biomarkers (proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites) that are differentially expressed in cancer. This segmentation allows cross-validation of results, reducing false positives and false negatives by requiring consistent signals across multiple markers rather than relying on a single imaging result.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite detection approach combining multiple types of biomarkers (proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites) and multiple detection mechanisms within a single composition. This multi-component strategy improves reliability by detecting cancer through multiple independent biochemical pathways, reducing the impact of false signals from any single marker.
3Ease of operation
If minimal-invasive tests are developed, then ease of operation is improved, but detection precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent detects cancer by measuring copies of biomarker molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites) in body fluids rather than directly visualizing the tumor. The composition binds to and quantifies these molecular copies, allowing early detection through highly sensitive biochemical reactions in minimally invasive blood or fluid samples, maintaining both ease of operation and detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from physical dimensions (tumor size visible on imaging) to biochemical concentrations (levels of cancer-related proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites). This parameter change enables detection at much lower thresholds in minimally invasive samples, maintaining high precision while improving ease of operation through non-invasive or minimally invasive sampling.
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
The biomarker panel allows for minimally invasive, accurate early detection of breast cancer, complementing imaging-based methods and improving detection rates, especially in individuals with dense breasts.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a nucleic acid affinity ligand and/or a peptide affinity ligand for the expression product(s) or protein(s) of a group of biomarkers
Implementation Method 2
comprising a nucleic acid affinity ligand and/or a peptide affinity ligand for the expression product(s) or protein(s) of a group of biomarkers
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composition for diagnosing, detecting, or monitoring a cancer disease, comprising a nucleic acid affinity ligand and/or a peptide affinity ligand for the expression product or protein of each biomarker of a group of biomarkers comprising at least Prolactin and Transferrin, and optionally further comprising a nucleic acid affinity ligand and/or a peptide affinity ligand for the expression product(s) or protein(s) of one or more of Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), CYFRA 21-1, Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), and the glycolipid marker CA19-9. The present invention further envisages a corresponding method for diagnosing, detecting or monitoring a cancer disease in a subject, in particular early forms of breast cancer.