CAIX Binding Polypeptides for Solid Tumor Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapeutic agents targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) for cancer treatment face challenges such as poor tissue distribution and penetration due to the large size of monoclonal antibodies, leading to inadequate tumor targeting and diagnostic imaging, especially in solid tumors.

Innovation Solution

Development of CAIX binding polypeptides with specific amino acid sequences that have high affinity for CAIX, allowing for efficient binding and potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications, including targeting various forms of cancer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If monoclonal antibodies are used to target CAIX, then high binding affinity is achieved, but tissue distribution and penetration are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding affinityVSAvoidmolecule size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monoclonal antibody into smaller functional components by identifying and isolating the specific binding motif (amino acid sequence) responsible for CAIX recognition. This allows the large antibody molecule to be divided into a compact peptide segment that retains binding functionality while improving tissue penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential CAIX-binding functional element from the complete monoclonal antibody structure. By taking out only the necessary amino acid sequence motif that provides binding affinity, the invention creates a minimized molecule that eliminates the size-related penetration problems of full antibodies while preserving the therapeutic binding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If small polypeptides are used to improve tissue penetration, then tumor distribution is improved, but binding affinity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolecule sizeVSAvoidbinding affinity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies the amino acid sequence parameters within the defined motif framework (SEQ ID NO: 1-12) to optimize both size and binding affinity. By changing specific amino acid residues at defined positions while maintaining the overall motif structure, the invention achieves high affinity binding in a compact polypeptide format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining a defined amino acid motif sequence with flexible linker regions and optional functional tags. This composite design allows the small polypeptide to maintain stable high-affinity binding to CAIX while preserving the ability to penetrate tumor tissue effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If large antibody molecules are used for therapy, then high specificity is achieved, but tumor-to-blood contrast for imaging is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeting specificityVSAvoidimaging contrast
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the antibody's binding function using only the essential amino acid motif sequence. This copied binding function is sufficient for specific CAIX recognition and imaging, eliminating the need for the full antibody structure and thereby improving tumor-to-blood contrast while maintaining targeting specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If monoclonal antibodies are used, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex, expensive monoclonal antibody manufacturing process with a simpler peptide synthesis approach. The small polypeptide motif can be produced through chemical synthesis or simple expression systems, dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining therapeutic efficacy through high-affinity CAIX binding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2935335B1New polypeptides
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 AFFIBODY TECH AB
  • EP2935335B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2935335B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2935335B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a class of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for carbonic anhydrase IX(CAIX), and provides a CAIX binding polypeptide comprising the sequence EX2X3X4AX6X7EIX10X11LPN LX16X17X18QX20 X21AFIX25X26LWD. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such a CAIX binding polypeptide as a diagnostic, prognostic agent and/or therapeutic agent.