Engineered Proteins for DOTA Chelate Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy and external beam radiation, are nonspecific and often ineffective against undetectable metastases, while targeted antibody therapeutics face challenges in specificity and immune response requirements.

Innovation Solution

Development of multi-specific engineered proteins that combine a first amino acid sequence binding to a target molecule and a second sequence binding to a metal chelate comprising DOTA or its variants, allowing for high-affinity binding and targeted delivery of radionuclides to cancer cells or infectious agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional chemotherapy is used, then all rapidly dividing cells are targeted, but undesirable side effects occur and tumors can become resistant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the treatment approach by using separate components: an antibody that targets specific tumor antigens and a radionuclide that delivers the therapeutic effect. This segmentation allows the targeting function and the cytotoxic function to be separated, enabling specific tumor targeting while minimizing exposure to healthy rapidly dividing cells, thus reducing side effects while maintaining treatment efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an antibody as an intermediary between the radionuclide and the tumor cells. The antibody specifically binds to tumor-associated antigens, serving as a mediator that directs the radionuclide to the tumor site. This intermediary approach enables selective delivery of the therapeutic agent to tumor cells while sparing healthy cells, thereby improving the therapeutic index.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If external beam radiation and surgery are used, then known tumor sites are targeted, but undetectable metastases are missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor targeting precisionVSAvoidability to detect and treat metastases
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal treatment approach that can target both primary tumors and metastatic lesions. The antibody-radionuclide conjugate system is designed to recognize specific tumor antigens that are expressed across different tumor sites, including undetectable metastases. This multi-functional capability allows a single therapeutic agent to address both localized and disseminated disease, improving adaptability while maintaining targeting precision.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If targeted antibody therapeutics are used, then cancer treatment specificity is improved, but immune response requirements and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment specificityVSAvoidimmune response requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the complex immune-mediated mechanism of traditional antibody therapeutics with a direct physical mechanism. Instead of relying on the immune system to mediate tumor cell destruction, the radionuclide directly damages tumor DNA through ionizing radiation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex immune responses while maintaining high treatment specificity through the antibody's targeted binding to tumor antigens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 engineered proteins enable precise targeting of cancer cells or pathogens, increasing the efficacy of treatment while minimizing side effects and improving tumor uptake, with the potential for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Implementation Method 1

a second amino acid sequence that specifically binds a metal chelate comprising DOTA or an active variant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Data Source

PatentEP2403530B1Engineered proteins with high affinity for DOTA chelates
Publication Date: 2016.05.11 MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH
  • EP2403530B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2403530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2403530B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease The compositions include engineered proteins that specifically bind a target (e g, a cellular protein) on a cancerous cell or a pathogen and a metal chelate comprising DOT A, or an active variant thereof, and a metal ion such as a radionuclide are disclosed By virtue of the multiple binding sites, the engineered protein effectively delivers a metal chelate to a cell one wishes to destroy.