Atomic Quantum Clusters for Cancer Therapy via ROS Catalysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapeutic approaches for cell proliferative disorders, such as cancer, often require combination with antineoplastic drugs and struggle to effectively target cells with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly in tumors with low vascularity or those separated by the blood-brain barrier.

Innovation Solution

Atomic quantum clusters (AQCs) comprising 5 zero-valent transition metal atoms, which selectively interact with cysteine residues and ROS, catalyzing thiol oxidation to induce cell demise, are used as a standalone treatment or in combination with radiation therapy, bypassing the need for additional antineoplastic agents and enhancing the efficacy of radiation therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If AQCs are used in combination with antineoplastic drugs, then therapeutic effect is improved, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidtreatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes the endogenous ROS production mechanism of cancer cells themselves as the therapeutic agent. By designing AQCs that catalyze thiol oxidation in the presence of ROS, the treatment leverages the cancer cells' own metabolic characteristics (high ROS levels) to achieve selective toxicity, eliminating the need for combination with additional antineoplastic drugs while maintaining therapeutic efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The AQCs utilize the cancer cells' endogenous ROS production to activate the therapeutic mechanism. The high ROS levels in proliferating cancer cells automatically trigger the thiol oxidation pathway, making the treatment self-activating and selective without requiring external activation or combination with other drugs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If AQCs target cells with high ROS levels, then selectivity for cancer cells is improved, but harm to non-proliferating cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveselectivityVSAvoidharm to non-proliferating cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the parameter difference in ROS levels between cancer cells and normal cells. Proliferating cancer cells naturally maintain high ROS levels as part of their metabolic activity, while non-proliferating cells have low ROS levels. The AQCs are designed to catalyze thiol oxidation only in the presence of high ROS, creating a parameter-based selectivity mechanism that inherently protects low-ROS normal cells from harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If AQCs are used as monotherapy, then treatment simplicity is improved, but therapeutic efficacy may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment simplicityVSAvoidtherapeutic efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful high ROS levels in cancer cells, which are normally a byproduct of their rapid metabolism, into the activating condition for therapeutic action. The AQCs harness this harmful oxidative environment to drive selective thiol oxidation and cell death in cancer cells, transforming the cancer cells' metabolic weakness into the mechanism's strength

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The AQCs act as catalysts that accelerate thiol oxidation in the presence of ROS. By enhancing the oxidation rate specifically in high-ROS environments (cancer cells), the AQCs achieve potent therapeutic effect as monotherapy, matching or exceeding the efficacy of combination treatments while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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

AQCs demonstrate a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, reducing tumor growth and metastasis, including in hard-to-treat areas like the brain, while minimizing harm to non-proliferating cells, thereby offering a novel monotherapy option and radiosensitizing agent for proliferating cells.

Implementation Method 1

Atomic quantum clusters (AQCs) comprising 5 zero-valent transition metal atoms, which selectively interact with cysteine residues and ROS, catalyzing thiol oxidation to induce cell demise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

catalyzing thiol oxidation to induce cell demise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

bypassing the need for additional antineoplastic agents and enhancing the efficacy of radiation therapy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20220031740A1Therapeutic uses of atomic quantum clusters

Publication Date: 2022.02.03 NANOGAP SUB NM POWDER SA

AI summary

There is provided an invention relating to compositions and therapeutic uses of atomic quantum clusters (AQCs), in particular compositions consisting essentially of AQCs comprising 5 zero-valent transition metal atoms for use in the treatment of a cell proliferative disorder.