Soluble Beta-Glucan Modulation of Tumor Microenvironment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer therapies struggle to effectively target and modify the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is immunosuppressive and promotes tumor growth.

Innovation Solution

The use of soluble β-glucan in combination with anti-cancer agents to modulate the TME, specifically by enhancing the immunostimulatory functions of innate immune cells and reducing immunosuppressive functions, thereby promoting an anti-tumor immune response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cancer therapies are used, then tumor cells are targeted, but the tumor microenvironment remains immunosuppressive and promotes tumor growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-tumor efficacyVSAvoidability to modify TME

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines beta-glucan with anti-cancer agents to create a dual-action therapy that simultaneously targets tumor cells and modifies the TME. This merging of two therapeutic approaches (direct anti-tumor activity plus TME modulation) resolves the contradiction by achieving both reliable tumor cell targeting and enhanced adaptability to modify the immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Beta-glucan serves multiple functions: it acts as an immunostimulatory agent, a TME modifier, and an adjuvant that enhances the efficacy of co-administered anti-cancer agents. This multi-functionality allows a single agent to address multiple aspects of cancer therapy, including direct anti-tumor effects and TME remodeling, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable tumor targeting and adaptability to modify the microenvironment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If immunosuppressive TME is left unchanged, then current therapies can be administered, but tumor growth is promoted and overall survival is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy administration simplicityVSAvoidoverall survival

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by using beta-glucan to pre-modify the TME before administering anti-cancer agents. This preliminary immunomodulation creates a more favorable microenvironment that enhances the subsequent efficacy of tumor-targeting therapies, thereby improving overall survival without significantly complicating the therapeutic approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Beta-glucan acts as an intermediary agent that mediates between the administered anti-cancer agents and the TME. It facilitates enhanced drug delivery, improves immune cell infiltration, and creates a more responsive microenvironment, thereby bridging the gap between simple therapy administration and improved clinical outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If only anti-tumor agents are used, then direct anti-cancer effect is achieved, but immunosuppressive functions in TME are not reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-tumor agent dosageVSAvoidimmunosuppression in TME

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the immunosuppressive TME from a harmful factor into a beneficial target for modification. Beta-glucan transforms the immunosuppressive microenvironment into an immunostimulatory one, turning the previously harmful immunosuppression into a benefit by activating immune cells to attack tumor cells. This resolves the contradiction by addressing the harmful immunosuppressive functions while maintaining effective anti-tumor dosing.

Inventive Principle:

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

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 approach significantly reduces tumor growth and improves overall survival by shifting the balance in the TME from immunosuppression to immunostimulation, enhancing T cell activation and proliferation, and increasing PD-L1 expression on tumor cells.

Implementation Method 1

β-glucan is a fungal PAMP and is recognized by pattern recognition molecule C3 in the serum as well as pattern recognition receptor, complement receptor 3 (CR3) on the innate immune cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPattern recognition:

Implementation Method 2

β-glucan enables innate immune effector cells to kill complement-coated tumor cells through a complement CR3-dependent mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplement activation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250114392A1Beta-glucan in combination with Anti-cancer agents affecting the tumor micrenvironment

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 HIBERCELL INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to the combination of soluble β-glucan and anti-cancer agents that affect the tumor microenvironment. Soluble β-glucan promotes an immunostimulatory environment, which allows enhanced effectiveness of anti-cancer agents.