Ascr#7 Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis Non-Responders

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Solution Overview

Problem

There are no approved drugs for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and existing treatments have limited efficacy, with 40-50% of patients not responding to first-line therapies.

Innovation Solution

Administering ascaroside ascr#7 or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts/prodrugs to modulate IL-6 and IL-1β levels, combined with corticosteroids, proton pump inhibitors, dietary therapy, and esophageal dilation, to treat EoE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If first-line treatments (food elimination, off-label steroids, surgical intervention) are used for EoE, then some patients experience symptom relief, but 40-50% of patients do not respond to these treatments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment response rateVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness across different patient populations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a novel treatment parameter (ascaroside administration) that targets the specific inflammatory pathway (IL-4/IL-13 signaling) characteristic of EoE. This parameter change addresses the inadequacy of existing treatments by providing a mechanism-specific therapeutic approach rather than general anti-inflammatory or dietary modifications, thereby improving treatment response reliability across the non-responding patient population

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs ascaroside as an intermediary substance that specifically modulates the IL-4/IL-13 signaling pathway, which is the key pathological mediator in EoE. This intermediary approach allows for targeted inhibition of eosinophil recruitment and activation without the broad-spectrum effects of corticosteroids, thereby expanding treatment versatility while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation in EoE, then eosinophilic infiltration is reduced, but long-term use causes significant side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeosinophilic infiltrationVSAvoidcorticosteroid side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harm caused by broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory agents into a benefit by using ascaroside, which specifically targets the IL-4/IL-13 pathway responsible for eosinophilic infiltration. This selective approach achieves the therapeutic goal of reducing eosinophilic infiltration while avoiding the harmful side effects of corticosteroids, effectively converting the problem of non-specific anti-inflammatory action into a solution of pathway-specific modulation

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by directing anti-inflammatory action specifically at the IL-4/IL-13 signaling pathway rather than globally suppressing all inflammatory responses. This localized therapeutic approach reduces eosinophilic infiltration in the esophagus without causing the systemic side effects associated with corticosteroid use, thereby achieving treatment efficacy while minimizing harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3503904B1Ascaroside treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 BOYCE THOMPSON INSTITUTE FOR PLANT RESEARCH INC

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AI summary

A method of preventing or treating eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) comprising administering a composition comprising ascr#7 is described.