KRAS Mutation Detection for TAS-102 Chemotherapy Response Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current chemotherapies for colorectal cancer, particularly those with KRAS gene mutations, are ineffective and lack predictive methods for therapeutic response, leading to limited survival-prolongation options and significant side effects.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the detection of KRAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer patients to predict the efficacy of chemotherapy using an antitumor agent comprising α,α,α-trifluorothymidine and 5-chloro-6-(1-(2-iminopyrrolidinyl)methyl)uracil hydrochloride at a 1:0.5 molar ratio, specifically targeting patients with KRAS gene mutations who are refractory or intolerant to standard therapies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard chemotherapy using 5-FU, irinotecan, or oxaliplatin is administered to colorectal cancer patients, then initial therapeutic effect is achieved, but patients become refractory or intolerant with limited survival-prolongation options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidsurvival time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting KRAS gene mutation status before administering TAS-102 chemotherapy. This preliminary genetic testing identifies patients who are likely to respond well to TAS-102, enabling early selection of an effective treatment regimen before standard therapies fail, thereby extending survival time without requiring patients to progress through multiple ineffective treatment lines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If cetuximab or panitumumab is administered to colorectal cancer patients, then therapeutic effect is achieved in wild-type patients, but no effect is observed in patients with KRAS gene mutation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidapplicability to KRAS-mutated patients
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring the chemotherapy regimen to the specific genetic characteristics of the patient's tumor. By detecting KRAS mutation status, the treatment is locally optimized: TAS-102 is selected for KRAS-mutated patients where it demonstrates efficacy, while recognizing that EGFR-targeted therapies like cetuximab and panitumumab are ineffective for this specific subgroup. This localized treatment approach based on genetic profiling resolves the contradiction between therapeutic effectiveness and adaptability to different patient subgroups

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If chemotherapy is administered without predictive testing, then treatment is provided to all patients, but effectiveness cannot be estimated before administration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment availabilityVSAvoidpredictive information on therapeutic response
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the loss of predictive information by implementing preliminary KRAS gene mutation detection before chemotherapy administration. This simple genetic test provides crucial predictive information about treatment response to TAS-102, enabling clinicians to make informed decisions about treatment selection. The test is minimally invasive and can be performed on routine clinical samples, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating the uncertainty of treating all patients without predictive information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2746404B1Antitumor agent and therapeutic effect prediction method for patients with KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 TAIHO PHARMA CO LTD
  • EP2746404B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2746404B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2746404B1 patent drawing

AI summary

This invention provides a method for predicting a therapeutic effect of chemotherapy that uses an antitumor agent comprising α,α,α-trifluorothymidine and 5-chloro-6-(1-(2-iminopyrrolidinyl)methyl)uracil hydrochloride at a molar ratio of 1:0.5 on a colorectal cancer patient, the method comprising: (1) detecting the presence or absence of KRAS gene mutation in a biological sample obtained from the patient; and (2) predicting that the patient is likely to sufficiently respond to the chemotherapy, when KRAS gene mutation is detected in Step (1).