P2X7 Receptor Detection in Extracellular Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting purinergic (P2X) receptors are limited, as they primarily focus on cell membrane expression, requiring invasive tissue biopsies and are not effective for screening extra-cellular body fluids for cancer markers.
Innovation Solution
Development of methods to detect purinergic receptors, specifically P2X7 receptors, in extra-cellular body fluids using anti-P2X receptor antibodies to form immune complexes, allowing for non-invasive cancer diagnosis through ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and other immunoassays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tissue biopsies are used to detect P2X receptors on cell membranes, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and ease of sample collection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the P2X7 receptor from its traditional location on the cell membrane and detects it in extracellular body fluids instead. This extraction allows non-invasive sample collection through urine, blood, or other body fluids while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for cancer detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses extracellular body fluids as an intermediary medium to detect P2X7 receptor presence and activity. These fluids serve as a mediator between the tumor cells and the diagnostic assay, allowing indirect but accurate detection of cancer-related P2X7 receptor expression without direct tissue sampling
2Measurement precision
If traditional cell membrane P2X receptor detection methods are used, then receptor localization accuracy is improved, but applicability to extra-cellular body fluid screening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal detection method that works for both intracellular and extracellular P2X7 receptor locations. The assay can detect P2X7 receptors whether they are on cell membranes or shed into extracellular fluids, making the diagnostic tool versatile for different sample types and cancer stages
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of detecting P2X7 receptors on intact cell membranes as traditionally done, the patent inverts the approach by detecting P2X7 receptors that have been shed into extracellular body fluids. This inversion allows screening of body fluids for cancer markers while maintaining diagnostic relevance
3Reliability
If invasive tissue biopsies are performed for cancer screening, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but patient morbidity and procedural complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diagnostic target (P2X7 receptor) from requiring invasive tissue biopsy and makes it detectable in easily accessible extracellular body fluids. This extraction simplifies the procedural complexity while maintaining diagnostic reliability through specific immunoassay detection of P2X7 in urine, blood, or other fluids
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
Enables the detection of P2X receptors in extra-cellular fluids, facilitating early cancer diagnosis and predisposition assessment with simpler, less invasive sample collection and analysis, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Development of methods to detect purinergic receptors, specifically P2X7 receptors, in extra-cellular body fluids using anti-P2X receptor antibodies to form immune complexes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to purinergic (P2X) receptors, to detection of protein in extra-cellular body fluids and to anti-bodies for the diagnosis or condition, especially cancer.