Cinnamic Acid Composition for Chemotherapy-Induced Allodynia

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for allodynia caused by anticancer agents are ineffective and often interfere with the anticancer activity of these drugs, leading to prolonged pain and reduced efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition containing cinnamic acid is used to prevent or treat allodynia, which includes administering cinnamic acid orally or intraperitoneally to subjects receiving or at risk of receiving anticancer agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If narcotic pain relievers are used to treat chronic pain, then pain relief is achieved, but side effects are strong making continuous use difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cinnamic acid as a short-acting, naturally-derived compound that provides pain relief without the cumulative side effects of long-term narcotic use. The compound works acutely to reduce neuropathic pain and then allows natural pain pathways to recover, avoiding the dependency and tolerance issues associated with persistent narcotic administration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Cinnamic acid acts as an intermediary substance that modulates the pain pathway without directly activating opioid receptors. It works through alternative mechanisms (likely involving TRP channels or other non-opioid pathways) to provide analgesia while bypassing the harmful side effect profile of traditional narcotics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat chronic pain, then continuous use is possible, but effects are weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous use capabilityVSAvoidpain relief effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter from conventional NSAIDs to cinnamic acid, which has different pharmacological properties. Cinnamic acid provides stronger analgesic effects for neuropathic pain through its unique mechanism of action while maintaining safety for continuous use, thus improving both effectiveness and duration simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If tricyclic antidepressant or anti-epileptic drug are used to treat chronic pain, then continuous use is possible, but effects are weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous use capabilityVSAvoidpain relief effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cinnamic acid as a short-acting natural compound that provides acute pain relief and allows the nervous system to reset, rather than relying on long-term modulation by antidepressants or anti-epileptics. This approach achieves better pain control with fewer side effects.

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

4Object-affected harmful factors

If herbal extracts are used to inhibit side effects of anticancer agents, then side effects are reduced, but anticancer activity is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside effects reductionVSAvoidanticancer activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Cinnamic acid serves as a selective intermediary that specifically targets pain pathways without interfering with the anticancer mechanisms of chemotherapy agents. It modulates neuronal excitability and pain signal transmission while leaving cancer cell killing activities unaffected, thus resolving the contradiction between side effect management and treatment efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3804708B1Pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating allodynia caused by anticancer drugs
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
  • EP3804708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3804708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a composition for preventing, alleviating, or treating allodynia caused by anticancer agents, containing cinnamic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The composition of the present disclosure can prevent, alleviate, or treat allodynia by being administered to a subject scheduled to receive anticancer agents or having received anticancer agents.