TROP2 Peptide Vaccine Design for MHC II-Driven Th1 Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cancer vaccines, particularly those targeting HER2, have limited clinical success due to reliance on CD8+ cytotoxic T cell activation without sufficient induction of CD4+ Type 1 helper T cells (Th1 cells, and there is a lack of immunogenic peptides for TROP2, a protein overexpressed in various cancers.

Innovation Solution

Development of a TROP2 immunogenic peptide, comprising specific amino acid sequences that stimulate Type 1 helper T cells (Th1 cells) by binding to MHC class II, inducing immune responses without activating regulatory T cells, and potentially linked with adjuvants for enhanced efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cancer vaccines focus on activating CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, then the vaccines can recognize and attack cancer cells, but the clinical outcomes remain limited due to insufficient induction of CD4+ Type 1 helper T cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclinical outcomeVSAvoidimmune response induction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing different regions of the immunogenic peptide to perform different functions: one region specifically binds to MHC class II molecules to activate CD4+ Th1 cells, while another region maintains immunogenicity for cancer cell recognition. This functional differentiation within the peptide structure resolves the contradiction by enabling specialized activation of helper T cells without compromising overall vaccine efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying specific amino acid sequences within the TROP2 protein to create immunogenic peptides with optimized properties. By changing the peptide sequence parameters (amino acid composition, length, and structure), the vaccine achieves enhanced ability to induce Th1 responses while maintaining cancer cell targeting capability, thus improving clinical outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If therapeutic vaccines use conventional immunogenic peptides, then they can be developed relatively easily, but they fail to induce sufficient Th1 immunity and regulatory T cell activation is not controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaccine developmentVSAvoidimmune response quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing the immunogenic peptide sequence with built-in capabilities to induce Th1 responses and control regulatory T cell activation. The peptide is engineered beforehand to contain specific epitopes that preferentially activate CD4+ Th1 cells, eliminating the need for complex post-development modifications and ensuring reliable immune response quality from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the immunogenic peptide is designed to be short (50 or fewer amino acids), then it can bind effectively to MHC class II, but the complexity of identifying the correct sequence increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeptide structureVSAvoidsequence identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the TROP2 protein sequence into multiple shorter peptide fragments and evaluating their individual immunogenicity. This segmentation approach allows systematic identification of effective epitopes that bind to MHC class II, reducing the complexity of sequence identification while maintaining binding effectiveness. The method breaks down the complex problem into manageable segments for analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The TROP2 immunogenic peptide enhances immune responses by stimulating Th1 cells, increasing interferon gamma secretion, and reducing interleukin 10 production, providing a targeted approach to treat cancers expressing TROP2.

Implementation Method 1

stimulate Type 1 helper T cells (Th1 cells) by binding to MHC class II

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMHC class II binding:

Implementation Method 2

increasing interferon gamma secretion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterferon gamma secretion:

Implementation Method 3

reducing interleukin 10 production

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterleukin 10 suppression:

Data Source

PatentEP4647440A1Trop2 immunogenic peptide
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 ASTON SCI INC
  • EP4647440A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4647440A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4647440A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to TROP2 immunogenic peptides and a use thereof. The TROP2 immunogenic peptide according to the present invention selectively binds to MHC class II to enhance only the immunogenicity of specific immune cells capable of killing cancer cells and thus can be advantageously used as an excellent cancer vaccine for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer by minimizing the immune escape mechanism of cancer cells.