FBXO34 Protein Localization for Thyroid Carcinoma Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for thyroid carcinoma, such as FNAB, face challenges in accurately distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules, particularly in indeterminate cases, leading to unnecessary surgeries due to unsatisfactory accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The use of FBXO34 protein as a diagnostic marker, detected through its unique subcellular localization in thyroid cells, where it appears in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of malignant cells but only in the nucleus of benign cells, facilitating the differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid lesions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional diagnostic methods (FNAB, cytological examination) are used to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid nodules, then the diagnostic process is simple and widely available, but the accuracy is unsatisfactory leading to misdiagnosis of indeterminate cases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by examining the specific subcellular localization of FBXO34 protein within thyroid cells. Instead of analyzing overall protein presence, the method focuses on the precise spatial distribution pattern (nuclear vs. cytoplasmic) to differentiate malignant from benign lesions, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy through localized analysis of a specific cellular compartment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the diagnostic parameter from general cytological features to the specific subcellular localization pattern of FBXO34 protein. By detecting whether FBXO34 is localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm, or both, the method transforms the diagnostic approach into a more precise measurement that can reliably distinguish indeterminate cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If FNAB is used as the primary diagnostic tool, then the procedure is minimally invasive and cost-effective, but it produces indeterminate results in 15-30% of cases requiring further surgery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic reliabilityVSAvoidtime for additional procedures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by analyzing the subcellular localization of FBXO34 protein during the initial FNAB procedure. This additional analysis is conducted on the same cytological sample before surgical intervention is planned, allowing for more reliable differentiation of indeterminate cases and preventing unnecessary surgeries without requiring separate procedures or delaying diagnosis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If more aggressive diagnostic approaches are adopted to improve accuracy, then diagnostic precision increases, but patient burden and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelesion differentiation accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic procedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies universality by making the FBXO34 localization analysis applicable to all thyroid nodule cases, including benign, indeterminate, and malignant lesions. The same immunohistochemical staining and localization analysis method works universally across different lesion types, providing a single streamlined approach that maintains simplicity while improving accuracy for all patients

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

Data Source

PatentEP3482206B1Method for in vitro diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 FOND UNIV NICCOLO CUSANO PER LA RICERCA MEDICO SCI
  • EP3482206B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1P
  • EP3482206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3482206B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention concerns a method for in vitro diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma by detecting the localization of FBXO34 protein.