Bis-Biguanide Compositions for Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved therapies for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) due to high recurrence rates and resistance to salvage treatment options, with existing treatments failing to effectively manage the disease progression.

Innovation Solution

The use of bis-biguanide compounds, such as alexidine and derivatives, in combination with chemotherapy agents, to treat lung cancer, particularly SCLC, by administering effective amounts to subjects in need, thereby targeting cancer cells and enhancing treatment efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chemotherapy is used to treat small cell lung cancer, then initial response is achieved, but recurrence and resistance to salvage treatment occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoiddisease-free period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing alexidine at specific concentrations (e.g., 10 µM) and combining it with chemotherapy agents to alter the therapeutic parameters. This approach changes the chemical and biological parameters of treatment, achieving both initial response and prolonged disease-free periods by preventing recurrence through mechanism-based action on cancer stem cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials principle by combining alexidine with chemotherapy agents to create a composite therapeutic approach. This combination therapy integrates two different mechanisms of action - alexidine's effect on cancer stem cells and chemotherapy's effect on bulk tumor cells - thereby achieving both initial response and preventing recurrence, resolving the contradiction between treatment efficacy and duration of action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If salvage treatment is administered after recurrence, then treatment options are exhausted, but resistance to available therapies increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment optionsVSAvoidtreatment response

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by administering alexidine in combination with chemotherapy during initial treatment rather than waiting for recurrence. This preliminary intervention targets cancer stem cells before they can drive recurrence, thereby maintaining treatment response efficacy and preserving future treatment options by delaying or preventing resistance development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses alexidine as an intermediary agent that mediates between chemotherapy and cancer stem cells. This intermediary approach allows the chemotherapy to effectively treat bulk tumor cells while alexidine simultaneously targets the resistant cancer stem cell population, thereby maintaining treatment response and preserving adaptability of treatment options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12582618B2Bis-biguanide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and uses in managing cancer

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 EMORY UNIVERSITY

AI summary

This disclosure relates to methods of managing cancer using bis-biguanide compounds, such as alexidine, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of treating lung cancer comprising administering an effective amount of a bis-biguanide compound to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of treating small cell lung cancer comprising administering an effective amount of a bis-biguanide compound to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the subject is diagnosed with a lung cancer. In certain embodiments, the subject is diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. In certain embodiments, the subject is a human subject.