Immune Cell Signaling Pathway Scoring for Immunotherapy Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately predict and monitor the response to immunotherapy drugs or drug combinations, particularly in cancer treatment, due to the lack of reliable biomarkers for assessing immune cell function and therapy effectiveness, leading to delayed response assessment and increased side effects.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a calibrated mathematical model to determine the functional status of immune cell types by analyzing the activity of signaling pathways such as PI3K, NFkB, TGF-β, JAK-STAT3, and others, providing a score indicative of the immune cell's functional state, enabling rapid assessment of therapy response and potential side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional methods are used to assess immune response, then treatment can be initiated, but response assessment is delayed and reliability is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse assessment reliabilityVSAvoidresponse assessment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/physical immune assessment methods with a computational/mathematical system. A calibrated mathematical model processes gene expression data to predict immune cell functional status and therapy response, substituting conventional delayed assessment mechanisms with rapid computational analysis that provides reliable predictions early in treatment.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary assessment of immune cell functional status before and during therapy initiation. By analyzing gene expression profiles and predicting immune response characteristics in advance, the system enables early identification of responders and non-responders, allowing treatment optimization before significant time is lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If immunotherapy is administered without accurate biomarkers, then treatment can proceed, but side effects increase and treatment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside effectsVSAvoidtreatment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mathematical model continuously processes gene expression data to monitor immune response status. This feedback loop enables real-time assessment of therapy effectiveness and immune cell functional status, allowing clinicians to adjust treatment to minimize side effects and avoid unnecessary costs associated with ineffective therapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in gene expression parameters as biomarkers to predict immune response. By monitoring specific gene expression profiles that indicate immune cell functional status, the system identifies patients at risk for severe side effects before they occur, enabling preventive treatment adjustments that reduce harmful effects and optimize resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3692170B1Determining functional status of immune cells types and immune response
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3692170B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3692170B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3692170B1 patent drawingFigure 1B

AI summary

A method for determining functional status of at least one immune cell type in at least one sample of a subject comprises determining the functional status of the at least one immune cell type based on activity of at least one signaling pathway in the at least one immune cell type in the at least one sample of the subject; and optionally providing the functional status of the at least one immune cell type in the at least one sample of the subject.