HPV Replication Inhibitors Targeting Tdp1-PARP1-Topoisomerase I Pathway

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections lack specific inhibitors, and existing vaccines are only prophylactic, failing to address persistent infections and associated cancers effectively, with no suitable model system for high-throughput screening of HPV inhibitors.

Innovation Solution

Identification of novel HPV replication inhibitors through high-throughput screening of NCI Diversity Set IV and customized chemical libraries, targeting the Tdp1-PARP1-Topoisomerase I pathway, which inhibit specific phases of HPV replication without affecting E1 and E2 dependent replication, using a U2OS-based dual-luciferase model system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vaccines are used against HPVs, then prophylactic protection is provided, but they cannot treat persistent infections and associated cancers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprophylactic protectionVSAvoidtreatment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the HPV life cycle into distinct phases (initial amplification, stable maintenance, vegetative amplification) and develops compounds that specifically target each phase. This allows the solution to address both prevention and treatment needs by interfering with viral replication at multiple stages, thereby resolving the contradiction between prophylactic protection and treatment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of viral replication by introducing compounds that specifically inhibit DNA replication mechanisms (E1-E2 helicase activity, DNA polymerase activity) without affecting the prophylactic vaccine approach. This enables the system to provide both prevention (via vaccines) and treatment (via replication inhibitors) for different stages of HPV infection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cytodestructive procedures and immunomodulatory molecules are used, then lesions are removed, but they lack specificity for HPV

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelesion removalVSAvoidlack of specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces specific antiviral compounds as intermediaries that selectively target HPV replication machinery (E1-E2 helicase, DNA polymerase) rather than using non-specific cytodestructive procedures. These compounds act as mediators between the host and virus, providing lesion removal capability while maintaining HPV specificity through mechanism-based targeting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical cytodestructive procedures with biochemical inhibition mechanisms. Instead of physically destroying lesions, the system uses small molecules that specifically inhibit viral replication enzymes, thereby removing the need for non-specific mechanical or immunomodulatory approaches while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

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

3Productivity

If high-throughput screening is performed to identify HPV inhibitors, then novel antiviral compounds can be discovered, but no suitable model system was available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompound discovery efficiencyVSAvoidmodel system availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a simplified in vitro model system that copies the essential features of HPV replication (using plasmid-based HPV genomes in HEK293 cells) without requiring complex primary epithelial cell cultures. This copied system enables high-throughput screening while maintaining biological relevance, thereby resolving the contradiction between screening productivity and model system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the model system by transitioning from primary epithelial cell cultures (complex, low-throughput) to immortalized HEK293 cells with plasmid-based HPV genomes (simplified, high-throughput compatible). This parameter change enables efficient compound screening while preserving the ability to detect HPV replication inhibition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3294288B1Human papilloma virus replication inhibitors
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 ICOSAGEN CELL FACTORY
  • EP3294288B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3294288B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3294288B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

Novel antiviral compounds for inhibiting one or more phases of HPV replication cycle are disclosed. Moreover, a mechanism for the inhibition is suggested and targets for further antiviral compounds are disclosed.