B Cell Density Prognosis at Tumor Invasive Margin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for predicting cancer prognosis in patients lack reliability, particularly in solid cancers, where immune cell infiltrates are not adequately assessed for survival prediction.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the determination of B cell density at the invasive margin of a tumor tissue sample, comparing it to a predetermined reference value, to provide a prognosis, which can also include assessing T cell densities for further discrimination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current methods for predicting cancer prognosis are used, then the prediction process is simple, but the reliability of survival prediction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurvival prediction reliabilityVSAvoidprediction method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter being measured from general immune cell infiltrate assessment to specific B cell density quantification at the invasive margin. This parameter change transforms the prediction method by focusing on a specific cellular component (B cells marked by CD20) and location (invasive margin), thereby improving reliability without requiring complete redesign of the assessment framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces subjective histopathological assessment with objective immunohistochemical staining and quantitative image analysis. By using automated image processing algorithms to count and quantify B cells, the method substitutes manual evaluation with a more precise and reproducible technical system, enhancing prediction reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If immune T cell infiltrate assessment is used, then the predictive criteria importance is high, but the applicability to solid cancers is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethod applicability to solid cancersVSAvoidimmune cell density measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by specifically assessing B cell density at the invasive margin region rather than uniformly across the entire tumor. This localized assessment recognizes that the invasive margin is a critical area for tumor-immune interaction, providing more precise and clinically relevant information for solid cancer prognosis while maintaining measurement accuracy through focused quantification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9945861B2Methods for predicting the survival time of a patient suffering from a solid cancer based on density of B cells

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 INST NAT DE LA SANTE & DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE (INSERM)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for predicting the survival time of a patient suffering from a solid cancer comprising the steps consisting of i) determining the density of B cells at the invasive margin of the tumor (im) in a tumor tissue sample obtained from said patient, ii) comparing said density with a predetermined reference value and iii) providing a good prognosis when the density of B cells at the invasive margin of the tumor is higher than the predetermined reference value and a poor prognosis when the density of B cells at the invasive margin of the tumor is lower than the predetermined reference value.