Interferon Therapy PD-1 Expression Biomarker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interferon therapy for cancer, while potentially stimulating the immune system, inadvertently up-regulates Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1), which impairs the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, leading to reduced efficacy in cancer treatment.

Innovation Solution

Co-administering an agent that inhibits PD-1 expression alongside interferon therapy to enhance the immune system's cancer-fighting capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If interferon is administered to stimulate the immune system, then immune system activity is enhanced, but PD-1 expression is up-regulated which impairs T cell function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune system activityVSAvoidPD-1 expression

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using the harmful effect of interferon (up-regulation of PD-1) as a diagnostic marker. Instead of merely treating PD-1 expression as a side effect to be eliminated, the invention utilizes it as a predictive biomarker to identify patients who will respond to interferon therapy, thereby converting a harmful factor into a beneficial diagnostic tool

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces PD-1 expression level as an intermediary biomarker that mediates between interferon administration and therapeutic outcome. By measuring this intermediary factor, clinicians can predict treatment response and make informed decisions about continuing or modifying therapy, thus bridging the gap between treatment administration and clinical efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If interferon therapy is used to treat cancer, then immune recruitment is improved, but tumor recognition capability is reduced due to PD-1 up-regulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune recruitmentVSAvoidcancer cell recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring PD-1 expression levels in response to interferon treatment and using this information to guide subsequent therapeutic decisions. The feedback loop allows clinicians to assess whether the immune system is being appropriately activated while monitoring for the development of immunosuppressive mechanisms, enabling dynamic adjustment of therapy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If exogenously manufactured interferon is administered, then direct immune stimulation occurs, but therapeutic efficacy is reduced due to increased PD-1 expression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune stimulation speedVSAvoidtherapeutic efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring PD-1 expression levels before initiating interferon therapy to predict potential treatment response. This advance assessment allows selection of patients most likely to benefit from the therapy, preventing administration to patients who would not respond and thereby improving overall therapeutic efficacy while maintaining rapid immune stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10335461B2Interferon therapy

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 TRIZELL LTD

AI summary

Interferon therapy is improved by concomitant administration of an agent which minimizes the ability of interferon to up-regulate expression of Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (also known as CD279).