Probiotic Composition for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are costly and lack effective, affordable alternatives, with existing therapies like sorafenib being expensive and not accessible to all, while probiotics have shown immunomodulatory effects but not previously used to treat HCC or reduce its growth.
Innovation Solution
A probiotic composition comprising heat-inactivated Lactobacillus rhamnosus, viable Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, and heat-inactivated VSL#3, administered orally to reduce HCC growth, acting as a food supplement and therapeutic agent, modulating immune responses and angiogenesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional therapies like sorafenib are used to treat HCC, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but treatment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional therapies with a low-cost probiotic composition. The probiotic formulation uses inexpensive bacterial strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, and VSL#3) that can be produced and administered at minimal cost compared to monthly sorafenib therapy costing around US$6,000, making effective HCC treatment accessible to broader populations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the therapeutic approach from small-molecule drugs to probiotic-based therapy. By administering specific bacterial strains orally or via gastrostomy tube, the treatment achieves anti-tumor effects through immunomodulation and direct tumor cell interaction, fundamentally altering the treatment paradigm while reducing costs
2Quantity of substance
If probiotics are used to treat HCC, then treatment cost decreases, but treatment effectiveness is uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three different probiotic strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, and VSL#3 containing Bifidobacterium breve, B. longum, B. infantis, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophiles) into a single formulation. This synergistic combination leverages the immunomodulatory and anti-tumor properties of each strain to achieve reliable therapeutic effects in HCC treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic bacteria act as intermediaries between the host immune system and tumor cells. They modulate immune responses, enhance antitumor surveillance activity, and directly interact with tumor cells to inhibit growth, providing a mechanism by which low-cost probiotics can achieve effective cancer treatment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heat-inactivated probiotics are used instead of viable probiotics, then safety is improved, but immunomodulatory effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses heat-inactivated probiotics, converting what would normally be a loss of viability into a benefit by eliminating potential side effects and safety concerns associated with live bacteria. The heat-killed bacteria retain their immunomodulatory components (cell wall components, proteins, metabolites) that can still stimulate immune responses and exert anti-tumor effects without the risks of live organism colonization
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject invention pertains to probiotic compositions and methods of treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using the probiotic compositions. The probiotic compositions can inhibit growth of HCC. The probiotic compositions can reduce the risk of HCC. The probiotic compositions include a specific combination of three bacterial compositions: (a) heat-inactivated Lactobacillus acidophilus (Moro) Hansen and Mocqu (ATCC 53103), (b) viable Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, and (c) heat-inactivated VSL#3®. This combination of bacteria is effective to reduce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth compared to control growth.