Non-thermal ablation for immunotherapy treatment planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatments, especially after metastasis, often have dismal prognoses due to immunosuppressive effects that hinder the immune system's ability to combat cancer, and there is a need for personalized treatment approaches that enhance immune response.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using non-thermal ablation techniques like irreversible electroporation (IRE) to treat tissues, measuring changes in bulk tissue conductivity in real-time, and administering additional treatments based on measured parameters to optimize immune response and treatment outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cancer treatments are used, then tumor mass is reduced, but immune system function deteriorates due to immunosuppressive effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of ablation from thermal to non-thermal (electrical field-based), which fundamentally alters the biological response. This parameter change eliminates immunosuppression while maintaining tumor destruction, as the electrical field causes direct cell membrane disruption without the thermal damage that suppresses immune function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal ablation (heat-based mechanical destruction) with electrical field-based ablation. This substitution changes the mechanism from thermal damage to electroporation, where electrical pulses create pores in cell membranes, leading to cell death without the immunosuppressive thermal effects.
2Stability of the object's composition
If standardized treatment protocols are applied, then treatment consistency is improved, but individual patient outcomes worsen due to lack of personalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by monitoring bulk tissue conductivity changes during ablation. This feedback allows the system to adapt treatment parameters based on actual tissue response, enabling personalization of treatment while maintaining procedural consistency through objective, measured parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation of treatment protocols based on real-time measurements. Treatment parameters such as pulse duration, voltage, and electrode configuration are adjusted dynamically according to measured conductivity changes, allowing each patient to receive a customized treatment within a standardized framework.
3Productivity
If additional treatments are administered immediately after ablation, then treatment efficiency is improved, but immune response activation worsens due to premature intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary ablation treatment to create a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment before administering additional immunotherapies. This preliminary action primes the immune system by releasing tumor antigens and creating inflammation, making subsequent immunotherapies more effective when given after the specified delay period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic treatment intervals, delaying additional therapies until 4-30 days after ablation. This periodic approach allows the immune system time to activate and peak in response to the ablation-induced antigen release, ensuring optimal immune response before introducing additional therapeutic agents.
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
This approach allows for personalized treatment plans that enhance the immune response, promoting a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment, increasing antigen presentation, and improving survival outcomes by delaying secondary treatments to allow for peak immune response activation.
Implementation Method 1
The non-thermal ablation technique can be irreversible electroporation. The non-thermal ablation technique can be high-frequency irreversible electroporation.
Implementation Method 2
The treatment parameter can be bulk tissue conductivity. The change in bulk tissue conductivity can be measured by measuring current during the step of ablating.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods of performing immunotherapy on a subject and/or determining if a subject will be responsive to ablation immunotherapy.