Ionizing Radiation and Bone Marrow Transfer for Glaucoma Neuroprotection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating glaucoma are inadequate as they primarily focus on lowering intraocular pressure, which does not effectively address the neurodegeneration causing the condition, and there is a need for more effective prevention and inhibition of neurodegeneration in glaucoma patients.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the administration of high-dose ionizing radiation, such as gamma radiation or x-ray radiation, combined with bone marrow transfer to the head or eye area, to inhibit neurodegeneration in glaucoma patients, targeting specific areas to prevent optic nerve and retinal damage without reducing intraocular pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-dose ionizing radiation is administered to the head or eye area, then neurodegeneration is inhibited and optic nerve damage is prevented, but harmful radiation effects are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-dose ionizing radiation (typically 5-20 Gy) to the head or eye area, converting a harmful agent into a therapeutic tool. The radiation kills proliferating tumor cells and activates immune responses against glioma, transforming radiation from a damaging factor into a beneficial treatment that prevents neurodegeneration and optic nerve damage while managing harmful effects through fractionated dosing and targeted delivery
2Reliability
If bone marrow transfer is performed, then immune system recovery is enhanced and neurodegeneration is reduced, but treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radiation therapy with bone marrow transfer in a unified treatment protocol. The bone marrow transfer is integrated into the radiation treatment schedule, where donor bone marrow is infused into the recipient to restore immune function and provide neuroprotective effects. This merging of two complex procedures into a coordinated protocol manages overall treatment complexity while achieving synergistic neuroprotection and immune-mediated anti-glioma effects
3Manufacturing precision
If radiation is targeted to the head or eye area, then neurodegeneration in the optic nerve is prevented, but the treatment area is limited and may miss systemic disease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs localized radiation delivery to the head or eye area (using techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy) to concentrate the therapeutic effect on the optic nerve and brain tissue where glioma is present. This local quality approach delivers high-dose radiation precisely to the affected regions while sparing other parts of the body, achieving targeted neuroprotection without requiring whole-brain or whole-body irradiation
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
This approach significantly reduces glaucomatous neurodegeneration, preventing optic nerve damage and retinal ganglion cell loss, offering a novel treatment that does not rely on lowering intraocular pressure, thus providing a more effective method for preventing glaucoma progression.
Implementation Method 1
administering high-dose ionizing radiation, such as ionizing radiation including gamma radiation and x-ray radiation
Implementation Method 2
administering high-dose ionizing radiation, such as ionizing radiation including gamma radiation and x-ray radiation, beta and proton radiation, and bone marrow transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating, preventing and/or reducing neurodegeneration in subjects with neurodegenerative disease, such as those neurodegenerative diseases that affect the eye, including glaucoma, using radiation, such as gamma radiation or X-ray radiation, either alone or together with a bone marrow transfer treatment. The method includes irradiating a targeted area of an animal, such as the eye region, with radiation, either alone or followed by injection with T-cell depleted bone marrow cells. Also a method for screening and/or selecting agents and/or treatment methods for inhibiting, treating and/or reducing neurodegeneration, particularly the neurodegeneration of the eye that occurs as a consequence of glaucoma.