Virus-Like Particle Nanoparticle Constructs for Sustained Cancer Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current nanoparticle-based cancer therapies face challenges in delivering sustained and controlled immunostimulation to tumors, as nanoparticles tend to interact with and be ingested by innate immune cells, and existing vaccines using virus-like particles (VLPs) have limitations in targeting cancer-specific antigens.

Innovation Solution

A nanoparticle construct is developed by electrostatically coupling plant virus or virus-like particles with nanoparticles of different surface charges, forming macro- or micro-scaffolds for sustained release and targeted delivery to tumors, allowing for in situ vaccination and immunostimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If nanoparticles are used for cancer therapy delivery, then delivery capability is improved, but nanoparticles are ingested by innate immune cells reducing therapeutic efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery capabilityVSAvoidtherapeutic efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Virus-like particles (VLPs) serve as intermediary carriers between nanoparticles and tumor cells. The VLPs are loaded with nanoparticles forming a composite structure that leverages the targeting capability of VLPs to deliver nanoparticles to tumors while avoiding premature immune clearance, thus resolving the contradiction between delivery capability and therapeutic efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining VLPs with nanoparticles. The VLP-nanoparticle composite maintains the delivery advantages of nanoparticles while utilizing the immunogenic properties and targeting capabilities of VLPs to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce immune-mediated clearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If virus-like particles are used for vaccination, then immune response is stimulated, but sustained and controlled release is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune responseVSAvoidsustained release

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Nanoparticles are nested within the structure of virus-like particles, creating a hierarchical VLP-nanoparticle composite. This nested structure allows the VLPs to provide sustained release of the embedded nanoparticles over time, maintaining immune stimulation while extending the duration of action through controlled release mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The VLP-nanoparticle composite enables continuous and controlled release of therapeutic agents at the tumor site. The structure maintains persistent immune stimulation by gradually releasing nanoparticles over an extended period, ensuring continuous therapeutic action rather than single-dose transient effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If frequent administrations are given to maintain immune stimulation, then treatment efficacy is improved, but treatment complexity and patient burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidtreatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The VLP-nanoparticle composite formulation provides sustained release of therapeutic agents, maintaining effective immune stimulation concentrations over extended periods. This continuous action reduces the frequency of administrations needed while preserving treatment efficacy, thereby simplifying treatment protocols and reducing patient burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 nanoparticle construct provides a sustained and controlled release of plant virus or virus-like particles, enhancing immune response against cancer by modifying the tumor microenvironment, potentially reducing the frequency of administrations and improving treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of plant virus or virus-like particles electrostatically coupled to a plurality of nanoparticles having a different surface charge than the plant virus or virus-like particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic coupling: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS12186279B2Sustained release cowpea mosaic virus or virus-like particle therapeutic constructs for the treatment of cancer

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV

AI summary

A nanoparticle construct includes a plurality of plant virus or virus-like particles electrostatically coupled to a plurality of nanoparticles having a different surface charge than the plant virus or virus-like particles. The nanoparticle construct upon delivery to a subject can provide a sustained release of the plant virus or virus-like particles and/or nanoparticles to a cell or tissue of the subject.