GBM Diagnosis via Plasma Biomarker Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are invasive, time-consuming, and lack specificity and sensitivity, making early detection and monitoring of the disease challenging.

Innovation Solution

A combination of five biomarkers - CCL22, GFAP, MDK, NRGN, and SPP1 - is used to diagnose GBM, monitor treatment response, and detect tumor progression or recurrence through non-invasive blood plasma analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive diagnostic methods (surgery, biopsy) are used to diagnose GBM, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient suffering and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidtime loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses blood plasma as an intermediary medium to detect GBM markers. Instead of directly invading the brain tissue for diagnosis, the method measures protein markers (GFAP, MDK, NRGN, CCL22, SPP1) in the blood plasma, which serves as a non-invasive intermediary that reflects the presence and status of the tumor in the brain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical invasive diagnostic system (surgery, biopsy) with a biochemical detection system. Instead of physically removing and examining brain tissue, the method uses molecular biology techniques to detect and quantify specific protein markers in blood plasma, substituting mechanical invasion with biochemical analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If single markers are used to diagnose GBM, then test simplicity is improved, but diagnostic specificity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest simplicityVSAvoiddiagnostic specificity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges five different protein markers (GFAP, MDK, NRGN, CCL22, SPP1) into a single diagnostic panel. By combining the measurement of these multiple markers together, the method achieves high diagnostic specificity for GBM while maintaining relative simplicity through multiplex detection technology that can measure all markers simultaneously in one test.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If current diagnostic procedures are used, then diagnostic capability is improved, but patient quality of life deteriorates due to prolonged waiting and invasive procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidpatient suffering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary diagnostic action through non-invasive blood testing. By detecting GBM markers in the blood plasma before confirming with invasive methods, the system allows for early identification and staging of the disease, enabling patients to receive appropriate treatment planning without first undergoing surgery or biopsy, thereby reducing their suffering and waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4538706A1New markers for diagnosing glioblastoma multiforme and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.16 WARSZAWSKI UNIWERSYTET MEDYCZNY

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Figure 1B~1D
Figure 2A

AI summary

The invention relates to methods of diagnosing glioblastoma multiforme in a subject, monitoring the subject's response to glioblastoma multiforme treatment, and monitoring the progression or recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme based on the use of a combination of the following five markers: the chemokine CCL22 (CCL22), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), midkine (MDK), neurogranin (NRGN), and osteopontin (SPP1). The invention also relates to uses of combinations of the aforementioned markers: CCL22, GFAP, MDK, NRGN, and SPP1 for diagnosing or monitoring glioblastoma multiforme.