Peripheral Opioid Antagonists Inhibit Angiogenesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating cancer, particularly metastatic cancers, are inadequate in inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation and migration associated with angiogenesis, which are crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.
Innovation Solution
The use of opioid antagonists, specifically peripheral mu-opioid antagonists like methylnaltrexone, to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and migration, thereby attenuating angiogenesis and tumor growth, either alone or in combination with other anticancer agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current cancer treatment methods are used, then tumor growth is targeted, but endothelial cell proliferation and migration associated with angiogenesis are not effectively inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies opioid antagonists to achieve multiple therapeutic effects simultaneously: inhibiting tumor growth, blocking endothelial cell proliferation, and preventing angiogenesis. This multi-functional approach allows a single treatment to address multiple aspects of cancer pathology that were previously requiring separate interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new therapeutic parameter (opioid receptor antagonism) to cancer treatment to achieve effects on endothelial cells that were not attainable with conventional therapies. By targeting the opioid receptor pathway, the treatment modifies the biological parameters of endothelial cell behavior, specifically inhibiting proliferation and migration processes.
2Reliability
If opioid antagonists are used to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and migration, then angiogenesis and tumor growth are attenuated, but the mechanism of action differs from conventional cancer treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes opioid antagonists as intermediary substances that block opioid receptors on endothelial cells, thereby preventing pro-angiogenic signaling. This intermediary mechanism translates opioid receptor blockade into inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and migration, achieving anti-angiogenic effects through a well-defined molecular pathway.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide methods of attenuating, e.g., inhibiting or reducing, cellular proliferation and migration, particularly endothelial cell proliferation and migration, including that associated with angiogenesis, as well as attenuating cancerous tumor growth and metastasis, using opioid antagonists, including, but not limited to, those that are peripherally restricted antagonists.