Dual Antibody Combination Therapy for IL-6 Dependent Tumours

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies for multiple myeloma, a type of cancer characterized by abnormal Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production, are limited in effectively targeting IL-6 and its receptor, leading to incomplete inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and survival, as existing monoclonal antibodies do not fully abolish the effects of endogenous and exogenous IL-6 on myeloma cells.

Innovation Solution

A therapeutic drug combining an anti-human IL-6 monoclonal antibody (IL-6A) and an anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (IL-6RA) is used to specifically inhibit the biological activity of IL-6 and its receptor, thereby reducing IL-10 production and tumor cell proliferation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single monoclonal antibody (either anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-6R) is used, then the treatment targets one component of the IL-6 pathway, but the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and survival is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinhibition effectivenessVSAvoidtherapy complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two monoclonal antibodies (anti-IL-6 and anti-IL-6R) into a single therapeutic regimen. This merging of two targeting mechanisms addresses the limitation of single-antibody therapy by simultaneously blocking both the cytokine and its receptor, thereby achieving more complete inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and survival pathways while managing the complexity through coordinated administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If existing monoclonal antibodies are used alone, then the treatment is simpler to administer, but the effects of endogenous and exogenous IL-6 on myeloma cells are not fully abolished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete inhibition of IL-6 effectsVSAvoidadministration simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The combination therapy merges two monoclonal antibodies with different targets (IL-6 and IL-6R) to achieve complete inhibition of IL-6 effects. This approach overcomes the insufficiency of single-antibody therapy by blocking both the ligand and its receptor, ensuring that neither endogenous nor exogenous IL-6 can stimulate tumor cell growth, while the administration protocol manages the operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If combination therapy with anti-IL-6 and anti-IL-6R is used, then complete inhibition of IL-6 pathway is achieved, but the treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete blockade of IL-6 signalingVSAvoidcombination therapy complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining two monoclonal antibodies that target different components of the same pathway (IL-6 and IL-6R). This dual-targeting strategy achieves complete blockade of IL-6 signaling by preventing both ligand availability and receptor activation, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving complete inhibition and managing treatment complexity through coordinated therapeutic design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2464666B1Combination of a human interleukin-6 antagonist and a human interleukin-6 receptor antagonist in therapy of tumour diseases
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 KOVACS BENKE EVA
  • EP2464666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2464666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2464666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The prevent invention provides the use of a combination of an anti-human interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody (IL-6A) and an anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (IL-6RA) as effective components: (1) in the treatment of tumours produce Interleukin-10 which is induced by Interleukin-6, (2) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (plasmozytoma) produces Interleukin-10 which is induced by Interleukin-6 and (3) in the treatment of Interleukin-6 dependent tumours. Interleukin-10 leads to an enhanced proliferation of tumour cells.