Genetically Engineered Cells for Cancer Stem Cell Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to reliably detect and track cancer stem cells and therapy-resistant cancer cells in vivo, leading to challenges in targeting drug-resistant residual disease and early cancer detection, which can result in disease relapse and limited treatment effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

Genetically engineered cells with detectable polypeptides linked to the Msi1 or Msi2 promoters are used to visualize and track cancer cells, allowing for the development of methods to specifically target therapy-resistant cells and improve early cancer detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional detection methods are used, then detection simplicity is maintained, but detection reliability of drug resistant residual disease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fluorescent markers (GFP, RFP, YFP) that emit distinct colors when expressed in cancer cells. These color changes enable visual differentiation and tracking of drug-resistant cells through imaging techniques, significantly improving detection reliability compared to traditional methods while maintaining operational simplicity through non-invasive imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If genetic engineering methods are implemented, then cancer cell detection capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer cell detection precisionVSAvoidmodel system manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-engineers mouse models with integrated fluorescent reporter systems (e.g., Msi2-GFP, Msi1-RFP) before cancer induction. This preliminary genetic modification establishes permanent, heritable markers in the genome, enabling precise tracking of cancer stem cells throughout tumor development and treatment without requiring additional interventions during experiments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates genetically engineered copy versions of normal cells that carry fluorescent marker genes alongside cancer-predisposing mutations. These engineered cells replicate the behavior of actual cancer cells but carry visible genetic markers, allowing researchers to track and study cancer cell dynamics with high precision while using standardized, reproducible model systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If in vivo tracking is achieved, then spatial location information is obtained, but treatment targeting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial location informationVSAvoidtreatment targeting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses fluorescent imaging to provide real-time feedback on the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of cancer stem cells in vivo. This information feeds back into treatment planning, allowing researchers to identify specific anatomical locations of drug-resistant cells and design targeted therapies that focus on these regions, thereby reducing collateral damage to normal tissues while maintaining straightforward treatment protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10578608B1Tools to detect, track and target cancer cells in vivo

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

Some embodiments include a genetically engineered cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a detectable polypeptide operably linked to the Msi1 or Msi2 promoter and genetically engineered organisms comprising these genetically engineered cells.