Microbiota Modification for Enhanced Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatments are inadequate in addressing the rising incidence of cancer, particularly in older adults, due to aging-related immune system decline and the complexity of the gut microbiome's role in cancer development and progression, with limited options for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer cachexia.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the gut, oral, or skin microbiota using specific combinations of pre-biotics, pro-biotics, and anti-biotics to increase beneficial bacteria levels, such as Roseburia and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and administering immune checkpoint inhibitors to enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cancer treatments are used, then cancer cells are targeted directly, but treatment effectiveness is limited due to aging-related immune system decline and gut microbiome complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses probiotic bacteria as intermediary agents that mediate between the immune system and cancer cells. These bacteria produce immunomodulatory compounds that enhance immune response against cancer without directly targeting the cancer cells themselves, thereby simplifying the interaction complexity while improving treatment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/chemical attack on cancer cells with a biological signaling system. By using probiotic bacteria to produce metabolites that modulate immune responses, the treatment substitutes direct cytotoxic mechanisms with a more complex but ultimately more effective immune-mediated elimination process
2Reliability
If probiotic bacteria are administered to modify gut microbiota, then beneficial bacteria levels increase and immune response is enhanced, but the complexity of managing multiple bacterial strains and their interactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple probiotic bacterial strains into a single therapeutic formulation that works synergistically. By merging the functions of different bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus for immune modulation, Bifidobacterium for gut health) into one administered composition, it reduces the complexity of managing separate treatments while maintaining comprehensive cancer prevention effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The administered probiotic bacteria perform multiple functions simultaneously: they colonize the gut microbiome, produce immunomodulatory compounds, enhance immune surveillance, and prevent cancer development. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate interventions, simplifying the overall management complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A person's intestinal (gut), oral or skin microbiota is modified using specific combinations of pre-biotics, pro-biotics and/or anti-biotics to establish a defined microbiota that can treat and/or reduce the likelihood that individuals will experience various diseases, including cancer. The employment of various bacteria, whether in particular combinations or after being modified using CRISPR-type systems, leads to improved outcomes when checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat various forms of cancer. One embodiment is directed to a method for reducing the likelihood of developing cancer by providing in the gut of an individual a population of beneficial bacteria selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus species. The level of Roseburia and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and/or Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria are increased in the individual's gut microbiome such that when an individual is administered an immune checkpoint inhibitor, its function is enhanced due to the presence of the bacterial population.