CD38 Antibody Combination Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for multiple myeloma and other CD38-expressing tumors have limited efficacy due to low cell proliferation rates and development of multi-drug resistance, necessitating the need for improved therapeutic methods that can effectively inhibit tumor cell growth and prolong survival.

Innovation Solution

A combination therapy involving a non-agonistic antibody that binds to CD38, a corticosteroid, and a non-corticosteroid chemotherapeutic agent, which can be administered simultaneously or sequentially, to inhibit tumor cell growth and proliferation, potentially allowing for lower medication doses and reduced side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chemotherapeutic agents are used to treat multiple myeloma, then tumor cell growth is inhibited to some extent, but the treatment efficacy is limited due to low cell proliferation rate and development of multi-drug resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidmulti-drug resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines three different therapeutic agents with distinct mechanisms of action: an anti-CD38 antibody (which targets surface antigens on plasma cells), a corticosteroid (which induces apoptosis in malignant plasma cells), and a non-corticosteroid chemotherapeutic agent (which provides additional cytotoxic effects). This combination approach addresses multi-drug resistance by engaging multiple parallel pathways of tumor cell death rather than relying on a single mechanism that tumor cells can adapt to.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the therapeutic parameters by introducing a completely new mechanism (anti-CD38 antibody binding) that targets a different pathway than conventional chemotherapy. This parameter change allows treatment of tumors that have developed resistance to traditional chemotherapeutic agents, as the antibody-mediated mechanism of action is independent of the cellular processes targeted by conventional drugs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high doses of chemotherapeutic agents are administered to overcome resistance, then treatment efficacy may improve, but side effects increase and treatment tolerance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The combination therapy uses three agents at potentially lower individual doses than would be required if each were used alone. The anti-CD38 antibody provides targeted immunotherapy effects, the corticosteroid contributes to tumor cell apoptosis, and the chemotherapeutic agent delivers cytotoxic effects. Together, they achieve synergistic tumor cell killing that allows reduction of individual drug doses, thereby reducing side effects while maintaining or improving overall efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-CD38 antibody acts as an intermediary that triggers immune-mediated tumor cell destruction through mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). This intermediary mechanism provides tumor cell killing that is distinct from direct chemotherapy, allowing the chemotherapeutic agent to be used at lower doses while maintaining effective tumor control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If monotherapy with a single chemotherapeutic agent is used, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but complete remission rate remains low at about 5%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment simplicityVSAvoidcomplete remission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a three-component combination regimen that integrates anti-CD38 antibody therapy, corticosteroid treatment, and non-corticosteroid chemotherapy. This multi-modal approach targets malignant plasma cells through multiple mechanisms: antigen binding and immune activation, steroid-induced apoptosis, and chemotherapeutic cytotoxicity. The synergistic effects of these combined therapies achieve complete remission rates significantly higher than the 5% observed with conventional single-agent chemotherapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3569245A1Combination treatment of CD38-expressing tumors
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 GENMAB AS
  • EP3569245A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3569245A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3569245A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to novel method for the treatment of cancer using a combination therapy comprising an antibody that binds CD38, a corticosteroid and a non-corticosteroid chemotherapeutic agent.