Integrin Beta7 Biomarker Prediction for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are limited by side effects, intolerance, and lack of sustained remission, with existing therapies not effectively targeting the underlying pathogenesis, and there is a need for predictive biomarkers to identify responsive patients to anti-beta7 integrin subunit antibodies.

Innovation Solution

The use of mRNA expression levels of integrin beta7, integrin alphaE, and CD3epsilon in intestinal biopsies and peripheral whole blood to predict responsiveness to integrin beta7 antagonists, allowing for personalized treatment approaches and improved therapeutic outcomes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional therapy with corticosteroids and immunomodulators is used, then anti-inflammatory effect is achieved, but side effects and intolerance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-inflammatory effectVSAvoidside effects and intolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from non-specific immunosuppression to specific integrin beta7 blockade, maintaining anti-inflammatory efficacy while reducing systemic side effects through targeted mechanism of action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces integrin beta7 antagonists as a specific mediator that blocks the pathological leukocyte trafficking pathway without affecting other immune functions, thereby achieving anti-inflammatory effect with reduced side effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If monoclonal antibodies targeting TNF-α are used, then efficacy in managing CD is improved, but primary nonresponse and loss of response occur in significant proportions of patients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy in managing CDVSAvoidresponse consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the therapeutic target from TNF-α to integrin beta7, addressing a different pathogenic pathway that proves effective in patients who fail to respond to anti-TNF therapy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuing to use anti-TNF therapy in non-responders, the patent inverts the approach by targeting an alternative pathway (integrin beta7-mediated leukocyte trafficking) that achieves remission in TNF-inadequate responder patients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If anti TNF therapy is administered, then clinical response is achieved in some patients, but adverse events including bacterial infection and lymphoma increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclinical responseVSAvoidadverse events
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses integrin beta7 antagonists as a selective mediator that blocks pathological leukocyte infiltration without causing the broad immunosuppression associated with anti-TNF therapy, thereby reducing adverse events like infections and malignancies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves local anti-inflammatory action at the intestinal mucosa by blocking integrin beta7-mediated leukocyte trafficking to the gut, while preserving systemic immune function and reducing generalized adverse events

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If trial-and-error treatment approaches are used, then eventual response may be achieved, but treatment time and patient suffering increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeventual responseVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification of integrin beta7 expression as a biomarker to predict responsiveness before initiating therapy, allowing patients to be pre-selected for the most likely effective treatment and avoiding trial-and-error approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2903691B1Methods for diagnosing and treating inflammatory bowel disease
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
  • EP2903691B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2903691B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2903691B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Biomarkers predictive of responsiveness to integrin beta7 antagonists, including anti-beta7 integrin subunit antibodies, and methods of using such biomarkers are provided. In addition, methods of treating gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are provided. Also provided are methods of using such predictive biomarkers for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.