Phytic Acid Ternary Nanomaterial for Long-Retention Tumor Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biomimetic nanomaterials face challenges with poor biocompatibility, insufficient tumor accumulation time, and safety concerns, limiting their effectiveness in tumor therapy and imaging.

Innovation Solution

A phytic acid (PA)-based ternary complex biomimetic nanomaterial is developed, composed of PA, a metal ion, and a protein/polypeptide, with specific molar ratios, forming a complex using a metal cation bridge, enhancing biocompatibility and enabling long retention at tumor sites for imaging and therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biomimetic nanomaterials are used for tumor delivery, then tumor targeting and therapeutic efficacy are improved, but retention time in tumors is insufficient and nanoparticles re-enter bloodstream

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor targeting efficiencyVSAvoidretention time in tumor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The nanomaterial employs dynamic pH-responsive behavior to change its state based on the tumor microenvironment. At physiological pH (7.4), the nanoparticle remains dispersed and circulates in blood. Upon reaching the acidic tumor microenvironment (pH 6.5-6.8), the nanoparticle undergoes protonation-induced aggregation and retention, transforming from a mobile state to a stationary state to achieve prolonged tumor residence time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes pH parameter changes to control nanoparticle behavior. The amino-functionalized phytic acid component undergoes protonation at acidic pH, changing the electrostatic charge and interparticle interactions. This parameter change triggers nanoparticle aggregation and retention in the tumor microenvironment, solving the retention time problem while maintaining targeting efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional nanomaterials are used for tumor therapy, then therapeutic function is achieved, but biocompatibility is poor and long-term toxicity occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic functionVSAvoidbiocompatibility and toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nanomaterial is constructed as a composite system combining amino-functionalized phytic acid (biocompatible natural polymer) with metal ions (Gd³⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pt²⁺, or ¹⁷⁷Lu³⁺) through coordination chemistry. This composite structure integrates the biocompatibility and biodegradability of phytic acid with the therapeutic and imaging functions of metal ions, achieving both safety and functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Phytic acid serves as an intermediary molecule that bridges the biocompatible environment and the therapeutic metal ions. The amino-functionalized phytic acid acts as a biocompatible carrier and coordinating ligand, mediating between the biological system and the metal ion therapeutic agents, thereby reducing toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If nanoparticles are designed for long-term retention in tumors, then monitoring and therapy time is extended, but nanoparticles may diffuse into surrounding tissues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring and therapy durationVSAvoiddiffusion into surrounding tissues
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nanoparticle exhibits different physical-chemical properties in different locations: in the bloodstream (neutral pH), it remains as dispersed nanoparticles for circulation; in the tumor microenvironment (acidic pH), it undergoes protonation-induced aggregation to form larger structures that are retained locally. This spatial variation in particle properties prevents diffusion into surrounding tissues while extending monitoring and therapy duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 nanomaterial achieves long-term tumor imaging and therapy with reduced toxicity, maintaining high biocompatibility and stability, facilitating continuous monitoring and treatment.

Implementation Method 1

PA carries a negative charge over a wide pH range, which allows it chelates with many positively charged divalent or multivalent metal ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 2

The ternary complex is formed by connecting the protein/polypeptide with the PA using a metal cation as a cation bridge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction:

Implementation Method 3

the delivery of imaging and therapeutic drugs via biomimetic nanomaterials holds broad application prospects in the accurate diagnosis and therapy of tumors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPassive targeting:

Implementation Method 4

Cr 3+ For preparing a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance imaging:

Data Source

PatentEP4706690A1Phytic acid-based ternary complex bionic NANO material, and preparation method and use thereof
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 THE SECOND HOSPITAL OF TIANJIN MEDICAL UNIV
  • EP4706690A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4706690A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4706690A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present application relates to the field of biological medicines, in particular to a phytic acid-based ternary complex bionic nano material. The ternary complex bionic nano material is composed of phytic acid, metal ions and a protein/polypeptide. The ternary complex is formed by connecting the protein/polypeptide with phytic acid using metal cations as a cation bridge. According to the application, the phytic acid ternary complex having different protein/polypeptide groups is synthesized by using various metal ions as bridges. A novel nano diagnosis and treatment probe having high biocompatibility is constructed, which can be reassembled and gathered for a long time at a tumor part, and has coordination-loaded imaging/therapeutic metal ions. The functions of long-acting tumor imaging, treatment or integrated diagnosis and treatment can be achieved, and the solution can be expected to be used as a novel bionic nano material in the field of biomedicine. In addition, the preparation process of the nano material is simple, and industrial production is easy to implement.