Soluble Peptide 4N1K Targets CD47 for Caspase-Independent Cancer Cell Death

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) face challenges such as drug resistance, inefficacy of caspase-dependent mechanisms, and the need for specific markers for personalized treatment, leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and significant side effects.

Innovation Solution

A soluble peptide, such as KRFYVVMWKK or its function-conservative variants, that mimics the C-terminal domain of TSP-1, induces caspase-independent programmed cell death in CLL cells by ligating the CD47 receptor, specifically targeting leukemic cells without affecting healthy B-lymphocytes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If caspase-dependent mechanisms are used for cancer treatment, then initial anti-cancer trials focused on caspase activity, but most studies are still in preclinical development because of low efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy of cancer treatmentVSAvoidtime for preclinical development
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an antibody-drug conjugate as an intermediary system that combines the targeting capability of anti-CD47 antibody with the cytotoxic effect of a caspase activator. The antibody specifically binds to CD47 on cancer cells, delivering the caspase activator directly to the target cells, thereby improving efficacy while reducing off-target effects and development time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite therapeutic agent by chemically conjugating a caspase activator drug to an anti-CD47 antibody. This composite structure integrates the specific binding properties of the antibody with the potent cytotoxic mechanism of the caspase activator, achieving both targeted delivery and effective cancer cell killing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If current chemotherapeutic treatments are used, then they induce cytotoxicity via caspase-dependent mechanism, but many patients remain refractory with positive reaction variable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse rate of treatmentVSAvoiddrug resistance in CLL patients
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-CD47 antibody serves as a mediator that specifically targets leukemic B cells through the CD47 surface marker, which is aberrantly expressed on these cells. This specific targeting improves response rate by directing the therapeutic effect precisely to malignant cells while sparing normal cells, thereby overcoming drug resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment exploits the local quality difference in CD47 expression between leukemic B cells and normal cells. The antibody-drug conjugate is designed to bind specifically to the abnormal CD47 on cancer cells, delivering cytotoxic effects locally to the tumor site while minimizing damage to healthy tissues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If monoclonal antibodies are used to induce PCD, then immobilized anti-CD47 mAb induces caspase-independent PCD, but the antibody needs to be immobilized on plastic to be effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinduction of caspase-independent PCDVSAvoidrequirement for immobilization on plastic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a soluble antibody-drug conjugate as an intermediary that combines the PCD-inducing capability of anti-CD47 antibody with a caspase activator. The conjugate delivers the caspase activator directly to CD47-positive cells, enabling caspase-dependent cell death without requiring antibody immobilization, thus simplifying the treatment approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 peptide effectively induces programmed cell death in CLL cells, including those resistant to conventional treatments, demonstrating a better efficacy than caspase-dependent mechanisms and showing promise in preclinical models by reducing tumor volume and cell proliferation.

Implementation Method 1

the soluble 4N1K peptide, which specifically ligates the CD47 receptor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReceptor ligation:

Implementation Method 2

induction of apoptosis through the use of caspase activators may theoretically constitute a treatment for cancer... PCD can proceed even when the caspase cascade is blocked. This fact has revealed the existence of an alternative pathway defined as caspase-independent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProgrammed cell death:

Data Source

PatentEP3434276B1Method and pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of cancer
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 PEPKON
  • EP3434276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3434276B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3434276B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a soluble peptide comprising the amino acids sequence: KRFYVVMWKK (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a function-conservative variant thereof for use in the treatment of cancer. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of cancer comprising at least one soluble peptide according to the invention or at least one acid nucleic according to the invention or at least one expression vector according to the invention, or at least one host cell according to the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.