Modified Peptides Eliminating LPS Binding for Cancer Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer therapies, including those using Toll-like receptor agonists and peptides derived from the Limulus anti-LPS factor protein, face challenges such as toxicity, immunodepression, and unwanted immune responses, particularly in patients with concomitant infections or thromboembolic diseases, due to their binding capabilities to LPS and heparin, which can exacerbate conditions and reduce therapeutic efficacy.

Innovation Solution

Development of peptides derived from the 32-51 region of the Limulus anti-LPS factor protein with specific amino acid substitutions that eliminate LPS- and heparin-binding capacity, enhancing anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory effects while promoting a Th1 immune response, thereby reducing toxicity and improving treatment outcomes for cancer and metastasis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If peptides derived from Limulus anti-LPS factor protein are used to treat cancer, then anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory effects are enhanced, but binding to LPS and heparin causes toxicity and unwanted immune responses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidtoxicity and unwanted immune responses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful binding capability of the peptide to LPS and heparin through specific amino acid substitutions, while preserving the beneficial immunomodulatory and anti-tumoral functions. This is achieved by modifying the peptide sequence to remove the LPS-binding domain while retaining the Th1 immune response activation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the peptide by introducing specific amino acid substitutions that alter its binding properties. These parameter changes eliminate LPS and heparin binding affinity while maintaining or enhancing the peptide's ability to induce Th1 immune responses and exhibit anti-tumoral activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If peptides with LPS-binding capacity are used, then immunomodulatory effects are achieved, but binding to heparin exacerbates thromboembolic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmunomodulatory effectVSAvoidthromboembolic disease exacerbation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the heparin-binding capability from the peptide through specific amino acid substitutions, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of exacerbating thromboembolic conditions while preserving the desired immunomodulatory functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the peptide's chemical parameters by substituting specific amino acids that are responsible for heparin binding, thereby changing the peptide's affinity profile to exclude heparin while maintaining immunomodulatory activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If current cancer therapies are used, then treatment options are available, but toxicity and immunodepression occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment optionsVSAvoidtoxicity and immunodepression
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs amino acid substitutions to change the peptide's properties, achieving a therapeutic profile that maintains anti-tumoral efficacy while reducing toxicity and immunodepression side effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a modified peptide composite that combines the beneficial immunomodulatory properties of the original peptide with reduced harmful interactions, achieving a more favorable therapeutic index

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 peptides demonstrate enhanced anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory effects, inducing effective Th1 immune responses, reducing tumor proliferation, and preventing metastasis, with improved safety profiles by avoiding LPS and heparin binding, thus offering a more effective and safer cancer treatment option.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory effects while promoting a Th1 immune response

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImmunomodulation:

Implementation Method 2

inducing effective Th1 immune responses, reducing tumor proliferation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCytokine production:

Data Source

PatentEP1992638B1Immunomodulatory and Anti-tumour peptides
Publication Date: 2010.12.29 CENT DE ING GENETICA & BIOTECNOLOGIA
  • EP1992638B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP1992638B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~3A
  • EP1992638B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4A

AI summary

The present invention is related to the development of peptides derived from the sequence HYRIKPTFRRLKWKKYKGKFW, showing aminoacids substitutions, these peptides unable to bind to the lipopolysaccharide and bearing anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory capacities. These peptides alone or in combination are useful to treat cancer, and also in synergy with conventional therapies.