Plasmapheresis Removal of Galectin-3 for Inflammation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevated levels of galectin-3 (gal-3) in circulation exacerbate various disease conditions, including cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis, complicating treatment and interfering with conventional medical therapies.
Innovation Solution
Plasmapheresis is used to selectively remove or inactivate gal-3 from the plasma, allowing for reduced levels of biologically active gal-3 in circulation, which can be combined with gal-3 binding agents to enhance their effectiveness in targeting gal-3 in tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If plasmapheresis is used to remove gal-3 from circulation, then gal-3 levels are reduced, but the procedure is invasive and requires monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies plasmapheresis to extract and remove gal-3 from the blood circulation system. Blood is drawn, plasma is separated, gal-3 is removed through binding agents or filtration, and the remaining plasma is returned to the patient, thereby reducing circulating gal-3 levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs binding agents (such as antibodies or lectins) as intermediaries that selectively bind to gal-3 in the plasma, facilitating its removal. These intermediaries act as mediators between the plasma and the removal mechanism, enabling specific targeting of gal-3.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gal-3 levels are elevated, then cancer progression and inflammation are exacerbated, but reducing gal-3 requires invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes gal-3 from the circulation through plasmapheresis, extracting this harmful substance from the blood stream to reduce its ability to promote cancer progression and inflammation.
Solution Approach 2:
Binding agents serve as intermediaries that specifically target and bind to gal-3, enabling its selective removal from circulation and reducing its harmful effects on cancer and inflammation.
3Reliability
If conventional therapies are used, then treatment is administered, but gal-3 interferes with therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs plasmapheresis to remove gal-3 from circulation before administering conventional therapies. This preliminary action eliminates the interference that gal-3 would otherwise have on therapeutic effectiveness, allowing treatments to work more reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
By removing gal-3 through plasmapheresis, the patent eliminates this harmful intermediary that was interfering with the effectiveness of conventional therapies, thereby improving treatment reliability.
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
Significantly reduces inflammation and fibrosis, improves treatment outcomes for conditions mediated by gal-3, including cancer and heart failure, by lowering circulating gal-3 levels and allowing other therapeutic agents to function more effectively.
Implementation Method 1
Plasmapheresis is used to selectively remove or inactivate gal-3 from the plasma
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to the removal of serum gal-3 from circulation by plasmapheresis using gal-3 binding agents in either a fixed bed, or in a form easily removed, such as by being complexed with magnetic particles. This method, on its own, brings a sharp reduction and relief from the inflammation and fibroses that can be induced by circulating gal-3. The process may be combined with the administration of gal-3 binding agents, such as modified citrus pectin, to further lower unbound gal-3 levels, to the point where gal-3 in the tissues may be addressed. This method may also be combined with removal of TNF receptors to provide an effective treatment for cancer.