Pancreatic Cancer Marker Proteins for Early IPMN Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pancreatic cancer markers, such as CA 19-9, lack sensitivity and specificity, especially in early stages, and there is a need for a serodiagnostic marker for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), as current markers like CA 19-9 often do not increase in IPMN patients.

Innovation Solution

Identification of secretoglobin, family 1D, member 2 (SCGB1D2) and podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL) as glycoproteins that accumulate in lamellipodia of pancreatic cancer cells, which are released outside the cell and serve as markers for pancreatic cancer and IPMN, with potential combinations including CA 19-9 for enhanced detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If CA 19-9 is used as a pancreatic cancer marker, then the marker has been used for about 30 years and is available for clinical use, but it has low sensitivity and low usefulness particularly in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in an early stage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidusefulness in early stage diagnosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the biochemical parameter being measured from CA 19-9 (an abnormal sugar chain) to SCGB1D2 (a secretoglobin protein). This parameter change enables detection of pancreatic cancer with higher sensitivity, particularly in early stages, by targeting a different molecular marker that is more consistently elevated in pancreatic cancer patients including those with early-stage disease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the diagnostic approach by identifying and measuring specific protein components (SCGB1D2 and its isoforms) separately from the conventional CA 19-9 marker. This segmentation allows for a more precise measurement of cancer-related protein expressions, improving the ability to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer and differentiate it from other conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If CA 19-9 is used as a pancreatic cancer marker, then it is available for clinical use, but there is not a serodiagnostic marker for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) and a serum concentration of CA 19-9 often does not increase in an IPMN patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to IPMN diagnosisVSAvoiddetection capability for IPMN

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by demonstrating that SCGB1D2 serves as a diagnostic marker for multiple pancreatic conditions including both pancreatic cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN). This multi-functional marker can detect both malignant and pre-malignant conditions, eliminating the need for separate markers for different pancreatic diseases and enabling comprehensive pancreatic disease screening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a superior pancreatic cancer marker is searched to replace CA 19-9, then sensitivity and usefulness may be improved, but no superior marker has been practically used yet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity and usefulnessVSAvoidpractical availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service by developing an autonomous diagnostic system that measures SCGB1D2 levels directly from patient serum samples using standardized laboratory techniques. The method requires no complex sample preparation, special reagents, or specialized equipment beyond常规 ELISA capabilities, allowing any clinical laboratory to immediately implement the test without external support or complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12473600B2Marker for pancreatic cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOCHI UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A marker having excellent sensitivity and specificity to pancreatic cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Also, a kit for diagnosing pancreatic cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms to detect the marker, and a method for evaluating a metastasis of a pancreas cancer cell by using the marker. The marker for pancreatic cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms according to the present invention comprises one or more proteins selected from the group essentially consisting of secretoglobin, family 1D, member 2 and podocalyxin-like protein. The kit for diagnosing pancreatic cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms according comprises an antibody to one or more proteins selected from the group essentially consisting of secretoglobin, family 1D, member 2 and podocalyxin-like protein.