Lactobacillus pentosus and Zinc Composition for Chemotherapy Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chemotherapy reduces immune system activity, leading to vulnerability to infections and causes side effects like mucositis, nausea, and malnutrition, necessitating a support therapy to protect mucosal tissues and enhance immune function.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising the bacterial strain Lactobacillus pentosus LPS01 with antiviral and antibacterial activity, combined with highly bioavailable zinc internalized in a tyndalized bacterial cell, and a protective agent like alginate or Aloe gel to mitigate chemotherapy side effects and enhance immune response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemotherapy is administered to treat tumors, then tumor cells are killed, but immune system activity is reduced and healthy tissues are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor treatment effectivenessVSAvoidimmune system suppression and mucosal damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains) as intermediary agents that mediate between the harmful chemotherapy treatment and the host's immune system. These probiotics produce cytokines and bacteriocins that actively protect immune cells from chemotherapy-induced suppression, restore immune function, and protect mucosal tissues without interfering with the anti-tumor efficacy of chemotherapy drugs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy into a beneficial outcome by using probiotic bacteria that sense the immunosuppressed state and respond by producing immunomodulatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma). These cytokines counteract the chemotherapy-induced immune suppression, effectively transforming the harmful side effect into an opportunity for enhanced immune protection and mucosal repair

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

2Productivity

If high doses of chemotherapy are administered, then tumor cell killing is enhanced, but side effects on healthy tissues increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor cell killing rateVSAvoidmucositis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Probiotic bacteria serve as protective intermediaries that specifically shield mucosal tissues from chemotherapy damage. The bacteria produce bacteriocins with direct antimicrobial activity against pathogenic organisms and cytokines that reduce inflammation and promote mucosal repair, thereby enabling higher chemotherapy doses to be administered with reduced gastrointestinal toxicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The probiotic composition is administered before and during chemotherapy treatment to pre-establish a protective microbial barrier in the gastrointestinal tract. This preliminary action ensures that mucosal tissues are protected before chemotherapy exposure, preventing mucositis and maintaining intestinal barrier function throughout the treatment course

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If immune system activity is suppressed by chemotherapy, then tumor cells are more vulnerable to treatment, but the organism becomes vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemotherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidprotection against infections
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Probiotic bacteria act as intermediary defenders that compensate for the weakened immune system. These bacteria produce bacteriocins that directly kill pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and cytokines (IL-17, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) that stimulate and restore immune cell function, thereby providing dual protection: maintaining chemotherapeutic effectiveness while simultaneously protecting against opportunistic infections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The probiotic composition enables the immune system to serve itself by stimulating endogenous production of protective cytokines. The bacteria activate immune cells to produce their own defensive molecules (IL-17, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha), creating a self-sustaining immune protection mechanism that reduces vulnerability to infections without compromising tumor treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition effectively stimulates immune system cytokine production, reduces chemotherapy-induced mucosal damage, and enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatments by improving blood circulation to tumor sites, thereby reducing metastasis and infection risk.

Implementation Method 1

The bacterial strain selected by the Applicant shows a remarkable stimulating activity on the immune system resulting in the endogenous production of interleukin 17, in particular interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and gamma-interferon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCytokine production:

Implementation Method 2

the strain selected by the Applicant, beyond a remarkable antiviral activity, has a strong antibacterial activity since it can produce bacteriocins and/or hydrogen peroxide and/or metabolites with an antibacterial activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBacteriocin production:

Implementation Method 3

the strain selected by the Applicant, beyond a remarkable antiviral activity, has a strong antibacterial activity since it can produce bacteriocins and/or hydrogen peroxide and/or metabolites with an antibacterial activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen peroxide production: Hydrogen Peroxide

Implementation Method 4

a highly bioavailable zinc internalized in a tyndalized bacterial cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectZinc internalization: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 5

a highly bioavailable zinc internalized in a tyndalized bacterial cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTyndalization: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 6

at least one rubber, preferably an alginate and/or a gel, preferably a gel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Data Source

PatentUS10933105B2Composition for use as a support therapy for treatment of tumours, AIDS and leukaemia
Publication Date: 2021.03.02 BENASSAI CHIARA

AI summary

Described in the instant application are methods and compositions for support therapy in antitumor chemotherapeutic treatments, in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treatments and in leukemia treatments. Said methods and compositions comprise a bacterial strain belonging to the species Lactobacillus pentosus and having an antiviral and an antibacterial activity, and a highly bioavailable zinc internalized in a tyndalized bacterial cell mixed with at least one rubber, and in particular an alginate and/or a gel, and in particular a gel.