HER2 Status Determination via CRIP1 Protein Variant Mass Spectrometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the HER2 expression status in breast cancer tissues, such as immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization, are inadequate for accurately predicting patient response to trastuzumab and prognosis, as they lack sensitivity and specificity, and do not effectively utilize protein-level biomarkers like CRIP1 for therapeutic decision-making.

Innovation Solution

The use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) to measure and compare the amounts of CRIP1 protein variants with specific molecular weights in breast cancer tissues, allowing for the direct analysis of protein patterns and classification of HER2-positive and HER2-negative samples, thereby predicting drug response and prognosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridization is used to determine HER2 expression status, then the diagnostic process can be performed, but the sensitivity and specificity are insufficient for accurately predicting patient response to trastuzumab and prognosis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of HER2 expression status determinationVSAvoidpredictive value for drug response and prognosis
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the measurement parameter from detecting HER2 protein expression levels (immunohistochemistry) or gene amplification (FISH) to detecting specific CRIP1 protein variants with molecular weights of 8419, 8435, 8450, or 8465 atomic mass units. This parameter change enables more accurate prediction of trastuzumab response and patient prognosis, resolving the contradiction between diagnostic capability and predictive reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces conventional immunohistochemical or FISH-based detection methods with mass spectrometry-based detection of CRIP1 protein variants. This substitution provides superior sensitivity and specificity, enabling accurate classification of HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancers and reliable prediction of therapeutic response

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional HER2 testing methods are used, then diagnostic results can be obtained, but they cannot effectively utilize protein-level biomarkers like CRIP1 for therapeutic decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to utilize protein-level biomarkersVSAvoidinformation about drug response prediction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces CRIP1 protein variants as intermediary biomarkers that mediate between HER2 expression status and trastuzumab response prediction. These specific protein variants (8419, 8435, 8450, or 8465 atomic mass units) serve as reliable indicators that bridge the gap between conventional HER2 testing and therapeutic outcome prediction, enabling effective utilization of protein-level information for clinical decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If mass spectrometry is used to detect CRIP1 protein variants, then accurate classification and prediction can be achieved, but the method must be validated to ensure reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclassification accuracy of HER2 statusVSAvoidvalidation status of the method
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism by comparing CRIP1 protein variant levels in breast cancer tissues with known HER2 status and clinical outcomes. The method has been validated by comparing results with established HER2 testing methods and correlating with patient response to trastuzumab and prognosis, thereby ensuring the reliability of the mass spectrometry-based classification approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

MALDI IMS provides accurate classification of HER2 expression status with high sensitivity and specificity, enabling reliable prediction of patient prognosis and response to therapy, and can be applied to small tumor tissue specimens, potentially improving clinical management of breast cancer.

Implementation Method 1

The use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) to measure and compare the amounts of CRIP1 protein variants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMatrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI):

Data Source

PatentEP2674756B1Determining the expression status of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in biological samples
Publication Date: 2016.08.03 BRUKER DALTONIK GMBH
  • EP2674756B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2674756B1 patent drawingFigure 1C-1~1C-2
  • EP2674756B1 patent drawingFigure 1C-3~1C-4

AI summary

The invention is related to determining the expression status of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), diagnosing cancer and predicting the response of a cancer patient to a drug or predicting the prognosis of a cancer patient. The method according to the invention comprises measuring amounts of two or more proteins in a sample, wherein the two or more proteins have substantially one of following molecular weights 4740, 8404, 8419, 8435, 8450, 8455, 8465, 8570, 8607 or 8626 atomic mass units, or measuring amounts of at least one of the human cystein-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1), one or more variants of the human cystein-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1 variants), and of proteolytic digestion products thereof in the sample.