TRAIL Gene Induction by NSC350625 for Brain-Penetrant Cancer Apoptosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recombinant TRAIL and TRAIL-agonist antibodies face challenges such as short serum half-life, stability issues, high cost, and difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier, limiting their efficacy in cancer treatment.

Innovation Solution

The compound NSC350625, a small molecule transcriptional inducer of the TRAIL gene, upregulates TRAIL expression in both normal and cancer cells, overcoming p53 inactivation in late-stage cancers, and sensitizes TRAIL-resistant tumor cells by inducing TRAIL through Foxo3a nuclear translocation and DR5 upregulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If recombinant TRAIL or TRAIL-agonist antibodies are used to treat cancer, then apoptosis induction in cancer cells is achieved, but serum half-life is short and delivery to the brain is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapoptosis induction efficacyVSAvoidserum half-life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a blood-brain barrier permeable carrier molecule as an intermediary to deliver TRAIL or TRAIL-agonist antibodies to the brain. The carrier molecule facilitates transport across the blood-brain barrier while maintaining TRAIL's apoptotic activity, resolving the contradiction between achieving brain tumor apoptosis induction and the limited delivery capability of TRAIL itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the pharmacokinetic parameters of TRAIL by combining it with a carrier molecule that has different half-life characteristics. This combination extends the serum half-life of the TRAIL-carrier complex while maintaining the apoptotic induction efficacy, addressing both the short half-life and brain delivery limitations simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If recombinant TRAIL is administered, then cancer cell apoptosis is induced, but cost and stability issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecancer cell apoptosis inductionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier molecule serves as a stable intermediary that protects TRAIL from degradation and reduces manufacturing costs. The carrier molecule's stability enhances the overall formulation stability, while its role as a delivery vehicle reduces the required TRAIL dosage, thereby lowering production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If TRAIL-agonist antibodies are used, then pro-apoptotic activity is achieved, but delivery to the brain is limited by blood-brain barrier permeability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepro-apoptotic activityVSAvoidblood-brain barrier penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blood-brain barrier permeable carrier molecule acts as a mediator that enables TRAIL-agonist antibodies to cross the blood-brain barrier. The carrier molecule's specific properties allow it to facilitate transport across the barrier while maintaining the pro-apoptotic activity of the TRAIL-agonist complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the permeability parameter of the TRAIL formulation by combining it with a carrier molecule that has high blood-brain barrier permeability. This parameter change enables successful delivery to the brain while preserving the pro-apoptotic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4335511B1Small molecule trail gene induction by normal and tumor cells as an anticancer therapy
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 THE PENN STATE RES FOUND INC
  • EP4335511B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4335511B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4335511B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A pharmaceutical composition, comprising the compound NSC350625, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use in a method of treating CNS cancer, lung cancer or lymphoma in a subject.