Quantitative Serum DEFA Detection Kit for Rapid Cancer Screening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cancer diagnosis methods using blood-based biomarkers are complex, involve low concentrations, and lack efficient detection methods, making rapid and accurate diagnosis difficult.

Innovation Solution

A cancer diagnostic kit that quantitatively measures the concentration of Defensin-1 alpha (DEFA) protein in serum samples using ELISA or LFA formats, utilizing reagents such as antibodies or antibody mimetics to detect Defensin-1α, enabling fast and simple cancer screening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional blood-based biomarkers (ctDNA, CTCs, exosomes) are used for cancer diagnosis, then cancer detection capability is provided, but the concentration in blood is low and detection efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecancer detection capabilityVSAvoidbiomarker concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the biomarker parameter from conventional low-concentration markers (ctDNA, CTCs) to high-concentration protein markers (Defensin-1α, Albumin, Haptoglobin) that are abundantly present in blood, thereby improving both detection precision and available quantity for analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional blood-based biomarkers are used, then cancer diagnosis is possible, but the separation process is complex and rapid testing is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecancer diagnosis accuracyVSAvoidseparation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes protein markers that are naturally abundant in blood plasma/serum, eliminating the need for complex separation and concentration procedures required for low-abundance biomarkers like ctDNA and exosomes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal protein markers (Defensin-1α, Albumin, Haptoglobin) that can be detected across multiple cancer types using the same assay platform, simplifying the diagnostic process while maintaining broad applicability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If invasive tissue biopsy is used for cancer diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is high, but sample collection is difficult and carries higher risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidsample collection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses blood-based protein markers as intermediary substances that reflect cancer presence without requiring direct tissue sampling, thereby maintaining diagnostic accuracy while eliminating the invasiveness and risks associated with tissue biopsy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables rapid and accurate cancer screening for liver, pancreatic, colorectal, prostate, and gastric cancers by detecting significantly reduced DEFA levels in patients, suitable for large-scale testing and on-site diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

a reagent for detecting the Defensin-1α protein marker present in a sample obtained from a subject as an active ingredient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen binding:

Data Source

PatentEP4617663A1Kit for diagnosing cancer comprising protein biomarker in blood
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 EULJI UNIV IND ACAD COOP FOUND
  • EP4617663A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617663A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4617663A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides a cancer diagnostic kit comprising a protein biomarker, Defensin-1 alpha (DEFA), which enables the rapid and simple diagnosis of cancer by quantitatively measuring the concentration of the biomarker in the serum of various cancer patients.