Chimeric Interferon Antibody Conjugate for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in effectively enhancing the immunogenicity of tumor cells and targeting scattered micrometastatic tumor deposits, while interferon-alpha's therapeutic potential is limited by its short half-life and systemic toxicity.

Innovation Solution

A chimeric construct comprising an interferon attached to a targeting moiety, such as an antibody that specifically binds to a tumor-associated antigen, using a proteolysis-resistant peptide linker, to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If interferon-alpha is used as a therapeutic agent, then antitumor activity is improved, but systemic toxicity increases and half-life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantitumor activityVSAvoidsystemic toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by conjugating interferon-alpha to an antibody that specifically targets tumor-associated antigens. This creates a heterodimeric molecule where the interferon component exerts its antitumor effect locally at the tumor site while the antibody component provides targeted delivery, reducing systemic distribution and toxicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The antibody acts as an intermediary that mediates the delivery of interferon-alpha to tumor cells. The antibody binds to tumor-associated antigens and carries the interferon-alpha to the target site, enabling selective delivery and reducing the need for high systemic doses that cause toxicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If interferon-alpha is used as a therapeutic agent, then antitumor activity is improved, but half-life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantitumor activityVSAvoidhalf-life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges interferon-alpha with an antibody to form a heterodimeric conjugate. This combination leverages the long half-life and stability of the antibody component to extend the duration of action of the interferon-alpha, while maintaining its antitumor activity through the preserved interferon domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The chimeric construct effectively inhibits tumor cell growth and proliferation, achieving potent antitumor activity with reduced systemic toxicity, as demonstrated by the attachment of interferon-alpha to antibodies like anti-HER2/neu IgG3, leading to improved in vivo half-life and therapeutic index.

Implementation Method 1

an antibody that is an intact immunoglobulin that specifically binds to a CD33 tumor associated antigen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody binding:

Implementation Method 2

the antibody is attached to the interferon by a proteolysis resistant peptide linker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProteolysis resistance:

Implementation Method 3

wherein the construct when contacted to a tumor cell results in the killing or inhibition of growth or proliferation of the tumor cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectApoptosis:

Data Source

PatentEP3150218B1Targeted interferon demonstrates potent apoptotic and Anti-tumor activities
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
  • EP3150218B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3150218B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3150218B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

This invention provides novel chimeric moieties that show significant efficacy against cancers. In certain embodiments the chimeric moieties comprise a targeting moiety attached to an interferon. In certain embodiments, the chimeric moieties comprise fusion proteins where an antibody that specifically binds to a cancer marker is fused to interferon alpha (IFN-α).