Radiotherapy Targeting for Systemic Abscopal Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods struggle to predictably induce systemic abscopal effects in metastatic cancer patients, as the synergy between radiotherapy and immunotherapy is difficult to predict due to tumor and immune system heterogeneity, as well as space and time-dependent treatment effects, with existing models focusing on single tumor sites rather than systemic metastatic responses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the determination of tumor lesion locations and volumes using radiological images, modeling blood flow dynamics and T cell infiltration probabilities, calculating immunogenicity indexes to identify the most promising tumor lesions for localized therapy, and combining this with immunotherapy and ablative treatments to induce immunogenic cell death and abscopal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If localized radiotherapy is applied to induce abscopal effect, then systemic immune response is enhanced, but treatment predictability deteriorates due to tumor and immune system heterogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using mathematical models to predict which tumor sites are most likely to generate systemic immune responses before treatment begins. The model calculates immunogenicity scores and T cell homing probabilities in advance, allowing clinicians to select optimal radiation targets that are predisposed to producing abscopal effects, thereby improving treatment predictability while enhancing systemic immune response.
2Reliability
If multiple tumor sites are treated with radiotherapy, then local control is improved, but induction of systemic abscopal effect becomes more difficult to predict
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different tumor sites with different priorities based on their individual immunogenicity characteristics. Rather than uniformly treating all visible tumors, the model identifies specific sites with high potential to generate systemic immune responses and prioritizes those for radiation therapy. This selective approach maintains local control where needed while maximizing the information about systemic response potential.
3Productivity
If immunotherapy is combined with radiotherapy to enhance abscopal effect, then treatment efficacy is improved, but treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using mathematical models to pre-identify optimal tumor targets that will work synergistically with immunotherapy. The model calculates which sites are most likely to benefit from the combination approach, allowing clinicians to plan targeted radiotherapy that complements immunotherapy administration. This reduces the complexity of managing combination therapy by providing clear, model-based guidance on where to apply each modality.
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 allows for personalized treatment plans that identify the best tumor lesions to treat, potentially inducing systemic immune responses that can lead to the eradication of circulating tumor cells and undetectable metastases across multiple organs, improving treatment efficacy for metastatic cancer.
Implementation Method 1
localized radiotherapy that induces immunogenic cell death
Implementation Method 2
ablative treatments to induce immunogenic cell death
Implementation Method 3
modeling blood flow dynamics and T cell infiltration probabilities
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for personalized treatment of tumor lesions in subject with metastatic cancer are disclosed.