Alternating Electric Fields for Endogenous FGF21 Secretion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The administration of recombinant FGF21 is problematic due to pharmacokinetics issues, limiting its therapeutic potential for metabolic diseases like diabetes, where increasing FGF21 levels is beneficial for lowering blood glucose and inhibiting glucagon secretion.

Innovation Solution

Applying alternating electric fields with specific frequencies and field strengths to a target site, such as the liver, to induce endogenous secretion of FGF21, potentially combined with diabetes therapeutics, thereby increasing FGF21 levels in subjects with diabetes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If recombinant FGF21 is administered to treat diabetes, then blood glucose levels are lowered and glucagon secretion is inhibited, but pharmacokinetics problems limit its therapeutic potential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidpharmacokinetics complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the body to produce its own FGF21 through electrical stimulation of the liver, eliminating the need for external recombinant FGF21 administration. The liver cells are stimulated to self-produce and secrete FGF21, solving the pharmacokinetics problems associated with external administration while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical/biological system of recombinant protein administration with an electrical field stimulation system. Instead of administering recombinant FGF21 and dealing with its pharmacokinetics, an electrical field is applied to stimulate endogenous production, substituting a simpler physical stimulus for a complex biochemical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If alternating electric fields are applied to increase endogenous FGF21 secretion, then pharmacokinetics problems are avoided, but the mechanism of action and optimal parameters require further investigation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic approach flexibilityVSAvoidmechanism characterization difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback approach by monitoring FGF21 levels in response to electrical field stimulation and adjusting the stimulation parameters accordingly. This allows optimization of the electrical field parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration) to maximize endogenous FGF21 secretion while minimizing side effects, gradually characterizing the mechanism through systematic parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This method effectively increases FGF21 levels, enhancing blood glucose uptake and potentially improving diabetes management by mimicking the benefits of recombinant FGF21 administration without pharmacokinetic limitations.

Implementation Method 1

applying an alternating electric field to a target site, such as the liver, to induce endogenous secretion of FGF21

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical field stimulation: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20230414956A1Methods For Treating Diabetes With Alternating Electric Fields

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 NOVOCURE GMBH

AI summary

Disclosed are methods of treating that can be performed using alternating electric fields applied in a single direction or multiple directions. Disclosed are method of treating a subject having diabetes comprising applying alternating electric fields to a target site of the subject for a period of time, the alternating electric fields having a frequency and field strength, wherein FGF21 is increased in the subject.