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Kuzman D, Klančnik U, Grum E, Derganc J. Real-Time Assessment of the Size Changes of Individual Sub-Visible Protein Particles under Buffer Variations: A Microfluidic Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1002. [PMID: 37513914 PMCID: PMC10386119 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein particles in biological drugs can significantly impact drug efficacy and carry the risk of adverse effects. Despite advancements, the understanding and control of particle formation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing remain incomplete. Therefore, further investigation into protein particles is warranted, especially considering that novel formats of biological drugs may be more susceptible to aggregation and particle formation than conventional monoclonal antibodies. In this study, we introduce a microfluidic approach for the real-time analysis of individual sub-visible protein particles during buffer exchange. We find that the modulation of intermolecular forces, achieved by changing the buffer pH or urea concentration, leads to the reversible swelling and shrinkage of particles by up to 50%, which is a consequence of altered intermolecular distances. Additionally, we identify a discrepancy in the biophysical behavior of protein particles compared to monomeric protein. This finding highlights the limited predictive power of commonly applied biophysical characterization methods for particle formation in early formulation development. Moreover, the observed particle swelling may be associated with manufacturing deviations, such as filter clogging. These results highlight the importance of studying individual particles to gain a comprehensive insight into particle behavior and the impact of formulation variations in the biopharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drago Kuzman
- Novartis d.o.o., Kolodvorska 27, 1234 Mengeš, Slovenia
| | - Urška Klančnik
- Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Grum
- Novartis d.o.o., Kolodvorska 27, 1234 Mengeš, Slovenia
| | - Jure Derganc
- Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Kizuki S, Wang Z, Torisu T, Yamauchi S, Uchiyama S. Relationship between aggregation of therapeutic proteins and agitation parameters: Acceleration and frequency. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:492-505. [PMID: 36167196 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
An increase in protein aggregates during transportation should be suppressed in therapeutic protein products because the aggregates have a potential risk of immunogenicity. In this study, three protein solutions in vials were exposed to tri-axial vibration with various combinations of frequency and acceleration using a transportation test system to investigate the relationship between low g-force stresses and protein aggregate generation. The number concentration of micron aggregates detected by flow imaging analysis increased markedly when the acceleration and frequency of agitation were within a specific range, in other words, above a threshold. This threshold was common among the three protein solutions. The suppression of micron aggregate formation by adding a surfactant suggested that agitation above the threshold increased micron aggregates mainly via interface-mediated routes. Notably, agitation, including agitation below the threshold, accelerated spontaneous oligomerization (nanometer aggregate generation) of proteins in bulk solution even in the presence of the surfactant. Studies of stability against mechanical stresses (e.g., a random vibration test to simulate actual shipment, with a time-compressed setting by increasing acceleration) need to be performed and discussed with careful consideration of the threshold for generating micron aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Kizuki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan; Formulation Research Lab., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 224-2, Ebisuno, Hiraishi, Kawauchi-cho, Tokushima, 771-0194, Japan
| | - Zekun Wang
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Torisu
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Satoru Yamauchi
- Business Development Headquarters, ESPEC CORP. 5-2-5, Minamimachi, Kanokodai, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-1514, Japan
| | - Susumu Uchiyama
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan; Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
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