Targeting Peptides for Prostate Cancer Detection via EDB-FN Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer detection and treatment methods face challenges in differentiating between cancer cells and normal cells, particularly in identifying the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, which hinders early diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition comprising targeting peptides that specifically bind to extradomain-B fibronectin (EDB-FN), with sequences such as TVRTSAD and CTVRTSADC, which are administered systemically to label prostate cancer cells, enabling more precise imaging and treatment of prostate cancer aggressiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional cancer detection methods are used, then general cancer screening is possible, but differentiation between cancer cells and normal cells is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidcell differentiation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces EDB-FN as an intermediary biomarker that specifically marks cancer cells and their microenvironment. The targeting peptide acts as a mediator that binds to EDB-FN, enabling indirect detection of cancer cells through the EDB-FN-peptide interaction, thereby achieving precise differentiation between cancer and normal cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical or non-specific imaging methods with molecular recognition-based detection. By using peptide-EDB-FN binding interactions, the system substitutes physical/mechanical detection with specific biochemical recognition, enabling precise identification of cancer cells at the molecular level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-targeted chemotherapeutics are used, then treatment coverage is broad, but non-specific side effects affect cells throughout the body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment coverageVSAvoidnon-specific side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the therapeutic agent specific to certain locations (cancer cells expressing EDB-FN) rather than acting uniformly throughout the body. The targeting peptide confers localized binding capability, ensuring the therapeutic effect is concentrated at the tumor site while sparing healthy tissues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the specificity parameter of the therapeutic agent by conjugating it with a targeting peptide that recognizes EDB-FN. This parameter modification transforms a non-specific chemotherapeutic into a targeted agent that selectively binds to cancer cells, maintaining treatment coverage while eliminating non-specific side effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If targeted imaging tools are used, then tumor cell labeling specificity is improved, but detection of small tumor cell clusters dispersed throughout the body becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabeling specificityVSAvoiddetectable tumor cell amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by designing a targeting peptide that recognizes EDB-FN expressed across various cancer types and locations. This single peptide-based solution can label both large tumors and small dispersed cell clusters, as well as primary tumors and metastatic sites, providing multi-functional detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses peptide copies conjugated to detectable moieties to amplify the detection signal. Multiple peptide-detectable moiety conjugates can bind to EDB-FN on cancer cells, creating multiple signal copies per target cell, thereby enhancing the detectability of even small numbers of dispersed tumor cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 targeting peptides effectively bind to EDB-FN, allowing for enhanced imaging and treatment of prostate cancer, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing non-specific side effects of chemotherapeutics by specifically targeting cancer cells and their microenvironment.

Implementation Method 1

the targeting peptide binds to EDB-FN and having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular recognition and binding:

Data Source

PatentEP3677285B1Targeting peptides for detecting prostate cancer
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV
  • EP3677285B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3677285B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3677285B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A compound includes at least one targeting peptide coupled to a detectable moiety. The targeting peptide binds to EDB-FN or EDA-FN and includes at least one of amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-30.