Chimeric Peptide Construct for Tumor Apoptosis Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatments using fusion peptides do not effectively combine with chemotherapeutic agents to reduce tumor growth and toxic side effects, as they lack a synergistic approach to enhance apoptosis in cancer cells.
Innovation Solution
A chimeric peptide construct comprising a cell-penetrating peptide linked to a pro-apoptotic peptide sequence, specifically Y-X4a-ETLD-X4b-I-EQWA-X6-S-X7, is used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to induce apoptosis in tumor cells, reducing the dosage and toxicity of chemotherapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fusion peptides (DPT-C9 and DPT-C9h) are used alone in cancer therapy, then they can induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but they are insufficient to effectively reduce tumor growth and toxic side effects without combination therapy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fusion peptides (DPT-C9 or DPT-C9h) with chemotherapeutic agents in a single treatment regimen. The fusion peptide comprises a cell-permeable peptide linked to caspase-9 fragments, which when administered together with chemotherapy drugs, creates a synergistic effect that enhances apoptosis induction in cancer cells while allowing reduction of chemotherapeutic dosage
Solution Approach 2:
The fusion peptide acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between cell death signaling pathways and chemotherapeutic action. By introducing exogenous caspase-9 fragments that can penetrate cells and directly activate apoptotic pathways, the fusion peptide mediates enhanced cancer cell death when combined with conventional chemotherapy, improving overall treatment efficacy
2Reliability
If high dosage of chemotherapeutic agents is used to treat cancer, then tumor growth inhibition is improved, but toxic side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs partial action by using reduced dosages of chemotherapeutic agents in combination with fusion peptides. The fusion peptide delivers a concentrated apoptotic signal directly to cancer cells through caspase-9 activation, allowing the chemotherapeutic component to operate at lower, less toxic doses while maintaining or enhancing overall anti-tumor efficacy through the synergistic combination
3Reliability
If fusion peptides are used to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, then cell death is promoted, but the mechanism lacks synergy with conventional chemotherapy
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion peptide performs preliminary action by pre-activating apoptotic pathways through caspase-9 fragments before or during chemotherapy administration. This preliminary apoptotic priming creates a synergistic effect when combined with chemotherapeutic agents, as the cancer cells are already committed to death pathways, enhancing the overall productivity and effectiveness of the combination therapy
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 peptide construct demonstrates a synergistic effect with chemotherapy, significantly inhibiting tumor growth and delaying relapse, while reducing the required dosage and associated toxicities of chemotherapeutic agents, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
A chimeric peptide construct comprising a cell-penetrating peptide linked to a pro-apoptotic peptide sequence
Implementation Method 2
apoptosis is a genetically programmed cell death and its deregulation is associated among other pathologies, with cancer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a chimeric peptide construct comprising a cell penetrating peptide linked to a pro-apoptotic peptide, for use in treating a tumor in combination with an anti-tumor agent, preferably a chemotherapeutic agent.