DSG2 Autoantibody Detection for ARVC Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) are clinically and genetically challenging, with low sensitivity and high costs, making early detection difficult and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The presence of autoantibodies to desmoglein-2 (DSG2) in biological samples is used for diagnosing ARVC through binding with DSG2 or antigenic fragments, followed by detection with a non-human secondary antibody, and engineered T-cells with a DSG2 autoantibody antigen and cytoplasmic signaling domain are used for treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Task Force criteria are used for diagnosing ARVC, then diagnostic coverage is achieved, but sensitivity remains low at 71% and costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic sensitivityVSAvoiddiagnostic procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the key diagnostic information needed for ARVC diagnosis by focusing specifically on detecting autoantibodies to desmoglein-2, rather than requiring fulfillment of multiple Task Force criteria. This extraction approach maintains diagnostic reliability while simplifying the diagnostic procedure and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the conventional approach of looking for structural and functional abnormalities through multiple tests, the patent inverts the diagnostic approach by detecting the presence of autoantibodies to desmoglein-2, which are the underlying cause of the disease. This inversion enables earlier detection before structural changes occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If multiple Task Force criteria tests are performed, then diagnostic coverage is achieved, but the procedure becomes expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential diagnostic information by focusing on a single biomarker - autoantibodies to desmoglein-2 - rather than requiring multiple tests. This extraction maintains diagnostic accuracy while significantly reducing the time required for diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of autoantibodies to desmoglein-2, which can be done early in the disease process before structural changes occur. This preliminary action enables earlier diagnosis without requiring progression through multiple diagnostic stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If genetic testing for ARVC mutations is performed, then 30-50% of cases are identified, but the majority of cases remain undiagnosed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic coverageVSAvoidapplicability to all cases
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal diagnostic approach that detects autoantibodies to desmoglein-2, which applies to all ARVC cases regardless of genetic mutation status. This universal method overcomes the limitation of genetic testing that only identifies 30-50% of cases, providing broad applicability across all patient populations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses autoantibodies to desmoglein-2 as an intermediary marker that bridges the gap between genetic predisposition and clinical manifestation. This intermediary approach allows detection of disease processes in both genetic and sporadic cases, expanding diagnostic coverage beyond what genetic testing alone can achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach provides a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic method for ARVC, correlating autoantibody levels with disease burden and enabling effective treatment by targeting DSG2 autoantibodies, thereby reducing ventricular arrhythmias and preventing heart failure.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the sample with a detectable non-human secondary antibody to the DSG2 autoantibody and determining whether or not DSG2 autoantibody is bound to the DSG2 or antigenic fragment by detecting binding of the detectable non-human secondary antibody to DSG2 autoantibody

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody binding:

Data Source

PatentEP3568697B1Method for diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN
  • EP3568697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3568697B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3568697B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of detecting a DSG2 autoantibody in a mammal is provided. The method includes contacting a biological sample obtained from a mammal with DSG2; and detecting the presence of DSG2 autoantibody bound to the DSG2 with a detectable anti- human antibody by detecting binding of the anti-human antibody to the DSG2 autoantibody. The method is useful to diagnose ARVC in a mammal.