MIC-1 Modulation for Cancer Cachexia Treatment

Solution Overview

Problem

Cachexia, characterized by decreased appetite and weight loss, is a common issue in late-stage cancer patients due to over-expression of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1).

Innovation Solution

Administering a MIC-1-modulating agent to either decrease the levels or inhibit the activity of MIC-1 in patients, using agents such as anti-MIC-1 antibodies, oligonucleotides, or peptides that target MIC-1 expression or activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If MIC-1 levels are increased to treat cancer, then tumour progression is inhibited, but appetite decreases and weight loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer treatment effectivenessVSAvoidbody weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the MIC-1 molecule into two distinct functional components: the mature MIC-1 domain (responsible for anti-tumour activity) and the propeptide region (responsible for appetite suppression). By separating these functions, the patent enables selective targeting of the anti-cancer properties while eliminating the harmful side effects on appetite and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the propeptide region from the MIC-1 molecule, creating a truncated version that retains only the mature MIC-1 domain. This extraction eliminates the appetite-suppressing function while preserving the anti-tumour activity, directly resolving the contradiction between cancer treatment effectiveness and weight maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If MIC-1 levels are increased to inhibit tumour growth, then cancer progression is slowed, but appetite is suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetumour growth inhibitionVSAvoidappetite control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the MIC-1 molecule into two distinct functional components: the mature MIC-1 domain (responsible for anti-tumour activity) and the propeptide region (responsible for appetite suppression). By separating these functions, the patent enables selective targeting of the anti-cancer properties while eliminating the harmful side effects on appetite and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the propeptide region from the MIC-1 molecule, creating a truncated version that retains only the mature MIC-1 domain. This extraction eliminates the appetite-suppressing function while preserving the anti-tumour activity, directly resolving the contradiction between cancer treatment effectiveness and weight maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250109192A1Method for modulating appetite

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 ST VINCENTS HOSPITAL SYDNEY

AI summary

The present invention provides a method of modulating appetite and/or body weight in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a MIC-1-modulating agent, wherein said agent increases or decreases the amount of MIC-1 present in said subject, or inhibits or enhances the biological activity of MIC-1 present in said subject.