SYNGR3 Biomarker Detection for HPV-Positive HNSCC Risk Stratification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing and treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are limited by the lack of effective biomarkers for stratifying patient risk, particularly for HPV-positive cases, leading to inadequate treatment strategies and significant treatment-related morbidities.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the detection of SYNGR3 gene and/or gene product expression in immune cells, such as T cells, to diagnose HPV-positive HNSCC, using a comparison with control samples and treating patients based on the SYNGR3 status, in conjunction with p16 status, to tailor treatment protocols for HPV-positive HNSCC.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If combinatorial therapy consisting of surgery and adjuvant radiation or chemoradiation is used to treat HNSCC, then treatment efficacy is improved, but treatment-related morbidities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidtreatment-related morbidities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using SYNGR3 expression levels to stratify patients into different risk groups, which enables differentiation of treatment intensity. High-risk patients receive full combinatorial therapy while low-risk patients may receive de-escalated therapy, thus maintaining efficacy for those who need it while reducing morbidities for those who don't

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the HNSCC patient population into distinct risk stratification groups based on SYNGR3 biomarker status. This segmentation allows for tailored treatment protocols where high-risk patients receive aggressive combinatorial therapy and low-risk patients receive less intensive treatment, resolving the contradiction between treatment efficacy and morbidities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If current diagnostic methods are used for HNSCC, then diagnosis can be made, but sensitivity and specificity for HPV detection are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidHPV detection sensitivity and specificity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional HPV detection methods with a biomarker-based diagnostic approach using SYNGR3 expression levels. This substitution provides more accurate and reliable HPV status determination, directly improving both sensitivity and specificity of HPV detection in HNSCC patients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the diagnostic parameter from direct HPV detection to measurement of SYNGR3 gene or protein expression levels in immune cells. This parameter change enables more precise measurement of HPV-associated immune responses, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and measurement precision simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230019818A1Methods of detecting and treating HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Publication Date: 2023.01.19 THE UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a subject. The present invention further relates to methods of diagnosing and/or treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a subject, wherein the subject has been diagnosed as being positive for human papillomavirus (HPV