Circulating PD-L1 Blood Test for Non-Invasive Cancer Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining cancer, particularly lung cancer, kidney cancer, ovarian cancer, or melanoma, face challenges such as tissue collection burdens, inability to detect cancer onset in T cells, and variability in tissue specimens, which hinder the quantification of immune checkpoint-related molecules across the whole body.
Innovation Solution
Measuring free PD-L1 and PD-1 protein markers in liquid samples, such as blood, to determine the presence of cancer by comparing measured values with predetermined threshold values or using multivariate analysis to predict cancer presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tissue collection is performed to detect PD-L1 for cancer determination, then cancer detection capability is improved, but subject burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection target from tissue form to circulating form in blood. Instead of detecting PD-L1 in tumor tissue, the method detects circulating PD-L1 (cPD-L1) in blood samples, thereby eliminating the need for tissue collection while maintaining cancer detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses circulating PD-L1 in blood as an intermediary marker to indirectly indicate tumor presence. The circulating PD-L1 serves as a mediator that reflects tumor burden without requiring direct tissue sampling
2Reliability
If PD-L1 detection in tissue is performed, then cancer presence can be determined, but quantification of immune checkpoint molecules systemically cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables a single blood test to serve multiple functions: determining cancer presence, quantifying immune checkpoint molecule levels systemically, and assessing tumor burden. The circulating PD-L1 measurement provides universal information that replaces multiple tissue-based assessments
3Quantity of substance
If tissue specimens are collected from different sites, then comprehensive sampling is improved, but specimen variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple localized tissue samples into a single systemic blood sample. By detecting circulating PD-L1 in blood, the method combines information from all tumor sites into one homogeneous specimen, eliminating variability between different tissue samples
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining cancer. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus and computer program for determining cancer.