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Tang Y, Liao X, Cao Y. A Proximity-Dependent Biosensor System for Visualizing Cell-Cell Interactions Induced by Therapeutic Antibodies. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:579-586. [PMID: 38103691 PMCID: PMC10922735 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of therapeutic antibodies in engaging the immune system to eliminate malignant cells, many aspects of the complex interplay between immune cells and cancer cells induced by antibody therapy remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to develop a biosensor system that can evaluate direct cell-cell physical contact and interactions between immune effector and target cells induced by therapeutic antibodies in physiologically relevant environments. The system uses two structural complementary luciferase units (SmBit and LgBit) expressed on the respective membranes of effector and target cells. Upon cell-cell contact, the two subunits form active NanoLuc, generating a luminescent signal, allowing for real-time monitoring of cell-cell interactions and quantitatively assessing the pharmacological effects of therapeutic antibodies. We optimized the system to ensure selectivity by adjusting the spacer lengths between two luciferase units to minimize interference from nonspecific intercellular contact. The system was applied to quantitatively monitor cell-cell interactions between NK and target cells induced by rituximab and between T and target cells induced by blinatumomab in a 3D cell culture system. The biosensor system has the potential to characterize antibody pharmacology through a deeper understanding of antibody-mediated cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tang
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States
| | - XiaoZhi Liao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States
| | - Yanguang Cao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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2
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Pardridge WM. Receptor-mediated drug delivery of bispecific therapeutic antibodies through the blood-brain barrier. FRONTIERS IN DRUG DELIVERY 2023; 3:1227816. [PMID: 37583474 PMCID: PMC10426772 DOI: 10.3389/fddev.2023.1227816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic antibody drug development is a rapidly growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry. However, antibody drug development for the brain is a technical challenge, and therapeutic antibodies for the central nervous system account for ~3% of all such agents. The principal obstacle to antibody drug development for brain or spinal cord is the lack of transport of large molecule biologics across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Therapeutic antibodies can be made transportable through the blood-brain barrier by the re-engineering of the therapeutic antibody as a BBB-penetrating bispecific antibody (BSA). One arm of the BSA is the therapeutic antibody and the other arm of the BSA is a transporting antibody. The transporting antibody targets an exofacial epitope on a BBB receptor, and this enables receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) of the BSA across the BBB. Following BBB transport, the therapeutic antibody then engages the target receptor in brain. RMT systems at the BBB that are potential conduits to the brain include the insulin receptor (IR), the transferrin receptor (TfR), the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR) and the leptin receptor. Therapeutic antibodies have been re-engineered as BSAs that target the insulin receptor, TfR, or IGFR RMT systems at the BBB for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
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Baghirov H. Receptor-mediated transcytosis of macromolecules across the blood-brain barrier. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1699-1711. [PMID: 37658673 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2255138] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts brain access of virtually all macromolecules. Receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) is one strategy toward their brain delivery. In this strategy, targeting ligands conjugated to therapeutic payload or decorating particles containing the payload interact with targets on brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC), triggering internalization, trafficking, and release from BCEC. AREAS COVERED RMT at the BBB has leveraged multiple formats of macromolecules and large particles. Interactions between those and BCEC have been studied primarily using antibodies, with findings applicable to the design of larger particles. BBB-penetrant constructs have also been identified in screening campaigns and directed evolution, and subsequently found to interact with RMT targets. In addition, BCEC targeted by constructs incorporating genomic payload can be made to produce therapeutic proteins. EXPERT OPINION While targeting may not be strictly necessary to reach a therapeutic effect for all macromolecules, it can improve a molecule's BBB transport, exposing it to the entire brain parenchyma and enhancing its effect. Constructs with better BCEC transcytosis may be designed rationally, leveraging knowledge about BCEC trafficking, and found in screening campaigns, where this knowledge can reduce the search space and improve iterative refinement. Identification of new targets may also help generate BBB-crossing constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habib Baghirov
- Roche Informatics, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Poznań, Poland
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4
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Sakai K, Sugano-Nakamura N, Mihara E, Rojas-Chaverra NM, Watanabe S, Sato H, Imamura R, Voon DCC, Sakai I, Yamasaki C, Tateno C, Shibata M, Suga H, Takagi J, Matsumoto K. Designing receptor agonists with enhanced pharmacokinetics by grafting macrocyclic peptides into fragment crystallizable regions. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:164-176. [PMID: 36344661 PMCID: PMC9991925 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00955-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Short half-lives in circulation and poor transport across the blood-brain barrier limit the utility of cytokines and growth factors acting as receptor agonists. Here we show that surrogate receptor agonists with longer half-lives in circulation and enhanced transport rates across the blood-brain barrier can be generated by genetically inserting macrocyclic peptide pharmacophores into the structural loops of the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of a human immunoglobulin. We used such 'lasso-grafting' approach, which preserves the expression levels of the Fc region and its affinity for the neonatal Fc receptor, to generate Fc-based protein scaffolds with macrocyclic peptides binding to the receptor tyrosine protein kinase Met. The Met agonists dimerized Met, inducing biological responses that were similar to those induced by its natural ligand. Moreover, lasso-grafting of the Fc region of the mouse anti-transferrin-receptor antibody with Met-binding macrocyclic peptides enhanced the accumulation of the resulting Met agonists in brain parenchyma in mice. Lasso-grafting may allow for designer protein therapeutics with enhanced stability and pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuya Sakai
- Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan. .,WPI-Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Sugano-Nakamura
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Emiko Mihara
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | | | - Sayako Watanabe
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sato
- Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Tumor Microenvironment Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Ryu Imamura
- Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,WPI-Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Dominic Chih-Cheng Voon
- Inflammation and Epithelial Plasticity Unit, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Cancer Model Research Innovative Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Itsuki Sakai
- Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Chihiro Yamasaki
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co. Ltd, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Chise Tateno
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co. Ltd, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Mikihiro Shibata
- WPI-Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,High-speed AFM for Biological Application Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Takagi
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
| | - Kunio Matsumoto
- Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan. .,WPI-Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan. .,Tumor Microenvironment Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
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Bonvicini G, Syvänen S, Andersson KG, Haaparanta-Solin M, López-Picón F, Sehlin D. ImmunoPET imaging of amyloid-beta in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease with a bispecific, brain-penetrating fusion protein. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:55. [PMID: 36567338 PMCID: PMC9791759 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00324-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hijacking the transferrin receptor (TfR) is an effective strategy to transport amyloid-beta (Aβ) immuno-positron emission tomography (immunoPET) ligands across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Such ligands are more sensitive and specific than small-molecule ligands at detecting Aβ pathology in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to determine if this strategy would be as sensitive in rats and to assess how TfR affinity affects BBB transport of bispecific immunoPET radioligands. METHODS Two affinity variants of the rat TfR antibody, OX26, were chemically conjugated to a F(ab')2 fragment of the anti-Aβ antibody, bapineuzumab (Bapi), to generate two bispecific fusion proteins: OX265-F(ab')2-Bapi and OX2676-F(ab')2-Bapi. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed 4 h and 70 h post-injection of radioiodinated fusion proteins in wild-type (WT) rats. [124I]I-OX265-F(ab')2-Bapi was administered to TgF344-AD and WT rats for in vivo PET imaging. Ex vivo distribution of injected [124I]I-OX265-F(ab')2-Bapi and Aβ pathology were assessed. RESULTS More [125I]I-OX265-F(ab')2-Bapi was taken up into the brain 4 h post-administration than [124I]I-OX2676-F(ab')2-Bapi. [124I]I-OX265-F(ab')2-Bapi PET visualized Aβ pathology with significantly higher signals in the TgF344-AD rats than in the WT littermates without Aβ pathology. The PET signals significantly correlated with Aβ levels in AD animals. CONCLUSION Affinity to TfR affects how efficiently a TfR-targeting bispecific fusion protein will cross the BBB, such that the higher-affinity bispecific fusion protein crossed the BBB more efficiently. Furthermore, bispecific immunoPET imaging of brain Aβ pathology using TfR-mediated transport provides good imaging contrast between TgF344-AD and WT rats, suggesting that this immunoPET strategy has the potential to be translated to higher species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Bonvicini
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden ,BioArctic AB, 112 51 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Merja Haaparanta-Solin
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Preclinical Imaging Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland ,grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Francisco López-Picón
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Preclinical Imaging Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland ,grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Dag Sehlin
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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Van De Vyver AJ, Walz AC, Heins MS, Abdolzade-Bavil A, Kraft TE, Waldhauer I, Otteneder MB. Investigating brain uptake of a non-targeting monoclonal antibody after intravenous and intracerebroventricular administration. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:958543. [PMID: 36105215 PMCID: PMC9465605 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.958543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies play an important role in the treatment of various diseases. However, the development of these drugs against neurological disorders where the drug target is located in the brain is challenging and requires a good understanding of the local drug concentration in the brain. In this original research, we investigated the systemic and local pharmacokinetics in the brain of healthy rats after either intravenous (IV) or intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of EGFRvIII-T-Cell bispecific (TCB), a bispecific monoclonal antibody. We established an experimental protocol that allows serial sampling in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF) of the prefrontal cortex in freely moving rats. For detection of drug concentration in ISF, a push-pull microdialysis technique with large pore membranes was applied. Brain uptake into CSF and ISF was characterized and quantified with a reduced brain physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model. The model allowed us to interpret the pharmacokinetic processes of brain uptake after different routes of administration. The proposed model capturing the pharmacokinetics in serum, CSF and ISF of the prefrontal cortex suggests a barrier function between the CSF and ISF that impedes free antibody transfer. This finding suggests that ICV administration may not be better suited to reach higher local drug exposure as compared to IV administration. The model enabled us to quantify the relative contribution of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and Blood-CSF-Barrier to the uptake into the interstitial fluid of the brain. In addition, we compared the brain uptake of three monoclonal antibodies after IV dosing. In summary, the presented approach can be applied to profile compounds based on their relative uptake in the brain and provides quantitative insights into which pathways are contributing to the net exposure in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur J. Van De Vyver
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antje-Christine Walz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Antje-Christine Walz,
| | | | - Afsaneh Abdolzade-Bavil
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Thomas E. Kraft
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Inja Waldhauer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Zurich (RICZ), Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Michael B. Otteneder
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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7
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Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Effect of a Blood-Brain Barrier-Crossing Fusion Protein Therapeutic for Alzheimer's Disease in Rat and Dog. Pharm Res 2022; 39:1497-1507. [PMID: 35704250 PMCID: PMC9246806 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We have recently demonstrated the brain-delivery of an Amyloid-ß oligomer (Aßo)-binding peptide-therapeutic fused to the BBB-crossing single domain antibody FC5. The bi-functional fusion protein, FC5-mFc-ABP (KG207-M) lowered both CSF and brain Aß levels after systemic dosing in transgenic mouse and rat models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). For development as a human therapeutic, we have humanized and further engineered the fusion protein named KG207-H. The purpose of the present study was to carry out comparative PK/PD studies of KG207-H in wild type rat and beagle dogs (middle-aged and older) to determine comparability of systemic PK and CSF exposure between rodent species and larger animals with more complex brain structure such as dogs. METHOD Beagle dogs were used in this study as they accumulate cerebral Aß with age, as seen in human AD patients, and can serve as a model of sporadic AD. KG207-H (5 to 50 mg/kg) was administered intravenously and serum and CSF samples were serially collected for PK studies and to assess target engagement. KG207-H and Aβ levels were quantified using multiplexed selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. RESULTS After systemic dosing, KG207-H demonstrated similar serum pharmacokinetics in rats and dogs. KG207-H appeared in the CSF in a time- and dose-dependent manner with similar kinetics, indicating CNS exposure. Further analyses revealed a dose-dependent inverse relationship between CSF KG207-H and Aß levels in both species indicating target engagement. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates translational attributes of BBB-crossing Aβ-targeting biotherapeutic KG207-H in eliciting a pharmacodynamic response, from rodents to larger animal species.
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Liu S, Shah DK. Mathematical Models to Characterize the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of Protein Therapeutics. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:867-878. [PMID: 35197311 PMCID: PMC11022906 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic proteins (TPs) have ranked among the most important and fastest-growing classes of drugs in the clinic, yet the development of successful TPs is often limited by unsatisfactory efficacy. Understanding pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of TPs is key to achieving sufficient and prolonged exposure at the site of action, which is a prerequisite for eliciting desired pharmacological effects. PK modeling represents a powerful tool to investigate factors governing in vivo disposition of TPs. In this mini-review, we discuss many state-of-the-art models that recapitulate critical processes in each of the absorption, distribution, metabolism/catabolism, and excretion pathways of TPs, which can be integrated into the physiologically-based pharmacokinetic framework. Additionally, we provide our perspectives on current opportunities and challenges for evolving the PK models to accelerate the discovery and development of safe and efficacious TPs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This minireview provides an overview of mechanistic pharmacokinetic (PK) models developed to characterize absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) properties of therapeutic proteins (TPs), which can support model-informed discovery and development of TPs. As the next-generation of TPs with diverse physicochemical properties and mechanism-of-action are being developed rapidly, there is an urgent need to better understand the determinants for the ADME of TPs and evolve existing platform PK models to facilitate successful bench-to-bedside translation of these promising drug molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufang Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Dhaval K Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
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9
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Chang HY, Wu S, Li Y, Guo L, Li Y, Shah DK. Effect of the Size of Protein Therapeutics on Brain Pharmacokinetics Following Systematic Administration. AAPS J 2022; 24:62. [DOI: 10.1208/s12248-022-00701-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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10
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de Lange ECM, Hammarlund Udenaes M. Understanding the Blood-Brain Barrier and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities for Novel CNS Therapeutics. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2022; 111:758-773. [PMID: 35220577 PMCID: PMC9305478 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This review addresses questions on how to accomplish successful central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery (i.e., having the right concentration at the right CNS site, at the right time), by understanding the rate and extent of blood‐brain barrier (BBB) transport and intra‐CNS distribution in relation to CNS target site(s) exposure. To this end, we need to obtain and integrate quantitative and connected data on BBB using the Combinatory Mapping Approach that includes in vivo and ex vivo animal measurements, and the physiologically based comprehensive LEICNSPK3.0 mathematical model that can translate from animals to humans. For small molecules, slow diffusional BBB transport and active influx and efflux BBB transport determine the differences between plasma and CNS pharmacokinetics. Obviously, active efflux is important for limiting CNS drug delivery. Furthermore, liposomal formulations of small molecules may to a certain extent circumvent active influx and efflux at the BBB. Interestingly, for CNS pathologies, despite all reported disease associated BBB and CNS functional changes in animals and humans, integrative studies typically show a lack of changes on CNS drug delivery for the small molecules. In contrast, the understanding of the complex vesicle‐based BBB transport modes that are important for CNS delivery of large molecules is in progress, and their BBB transport seems to be significantly affected by CNS diseases. In conclusion, today, CNS drug delivery of small drugs can be well assessed and understood by integrative approaches, although there is still quite a long way to go to understand CNS drug delivery of large molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C M de Lange
- Predictive Pharmacology Group, Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LACDR, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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11
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Ball K, Bruin G, Escandon E, Funk C, Pereira JN, Yang TY, Yu H. Characterizing the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of therapeutic proteins: an industry white paper. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:858-866. [PMID: 35149542 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and biodistribution of therapeutic proteins (TPs) is a hot topic within the pharmaceutical industry, particularly with an ever-increasing catalog of novel modality TPs. Here, we review the current practices, and provide a summary of extensive cross-company discussions as well as a survey completed by International Consortium for Innovation and Quality (IQ consortium) members on this theme. A wide variety of in vitro, in vivo and in silico techniques are currently used to assess PK and biodistribution of TPs, and we discuss the relevance of these from an industry perspective, focusing on PK/PD understanding at the preclinical stage of development, and translation to human. We consider that the 'traditional in vivo biodistribution study' is becoming insufficient as a standalone tool, and thorough characterization of the interaction of the TP with its target(s), target biology, and off-target interactions at a microscopic scale are key to understand the overall biodistribution at a full-body scale. Our summary of the current challenges and our recommendations to address these issues could provide insight into the implementation of best practices in this area of drug development, and continued cross-company collaboration will be of tremendous value. Significance Statement The Innovation & Quality Consortium (IQ) Translational and ADME Sciences Leadership Group (TALG) working group for the ADME of therapeutic proteins evaluates the current practices, recent advances, and challenges in characterizing the PK and biodistribution of therapeutic proteins during drug development, and proposes recommendations to address these issues. Incorporating the in vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches discussed herein may provide a pragmatic framework to increase early understanding of PK/PD relationships, and aid translational modelling for first-in-human dose predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard Bruin
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Switzerland
| | | | - Christoph Funk
- Dept. of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Switzerland
| | | | | | - Hongbin Yu
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, United States
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Chang HY, Wu S, Chowdhury EA, Shah DK. Towards a translational physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for receptor-mediated transcytosis of anti-transferrin receptor monoclonal antibodies in the central nervous system. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 2022; 49:337-362. [DOI: 10.1007/s10928-021-09800-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Pardridge WM. Kinetics of Blood-Brain Barrier Transport of Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Insulin Receptor and the Transferrin Receptor. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 15:3. [PMID: 35056060 PMCID: PMC8778919 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologic drugs are large molecule pharmaceuticals that do not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is formed by the brain capillary endothelium. Biologics can be re-engineered for BBB transport as IgG fusion proteins, where the IgG domain is a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that targets an endogenous BBB transporter, such as the insulin receptor (IR) or transferrin receptor (TfR). The IR and TfR at the BBB transport the receptor-specific MAb in parallel with the transport of the endogenous ligand, insulin or transferrin. The kinetics of BBB transport of insulin or transferrin, or an IRMAb or TfRMAb, can be quantified with separate mathematical models. Mathematical models to estimate the half-time of receptor endocytosis, MAb or ligand exocytosis into brain extracellular space, or receptor recycling back to the endothelial luminal membrane were fit to the brain uptake of a TfRMAb or a IRMAb fusion protein in the Rhesus monkey. Model fits to the data also allow for estimates of the rates of association of the MAb in plasma with the IR or TfR that is embedded within the endothelial luminal membrane in vivo. The parameters generated from the model fits can be used to estimate the brain concentration profile of the MAb over time, and this brain exposure is shown to be a function of the rate of clearance of the antibody fusion protein from the plasma compartment.
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Kouhi A, Pachipulusu V, Kapenstein T, Hu P, Epstein AL, Khawli LA. Brain Disposition of Antibody-Based Therapeutics: Dogma, Approaches and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126442. [PMID: 34208575 PMCID: PMC8235515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to their high specificity, monoclonal antibodies have been widely investigated for their application in drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) for the treatment of neurological diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Research in the past few decades has revealed that one of the biggest challenges in the development of antibodies for drug delivery to the CNS is the presence of blood–brain barrier (BBB), which acts to restrict drug delivery and contributes to the limited uptake (0.1–0.2% of injected dose) of circulating antibodies into the brain. This article reviews the various methods currently used for antibody delivery to the CNS at the preclinical stage of development and the underlying mechanisms of BBB penetration. It also describes efforts to improve or modulate the physicochemical and biochemical properties of antibodies (e.g., charge, Fc receptor binding affinity, and target affinity), to adapt their pharmacokinetics (PK), and to influence their distribution and disposition into the brain. Finally, a distinction is made between approaches that seek to modify BBB permeability and those that use a physiological approach or antibody engineering to increase uptake in the CNS. Although there are currently inherent difficulties in developing safe and efficacious antibodies that will cross the BBB, the future prospects of brain-targeted delivery of antibody-based agents are believed to be excellent.
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Pardridge WM, Chou T. Mathematical Models of Blood-Brain Barrier Transport of Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Transferrin Receptor and the Insulin Receptor. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:535. [PMID: 34205013 PMCID: PMC8226686 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We develop and analyze mathematical models for receptor-mediated transcytosis of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) targeting the transferrin receptor (TfR) or the insulin receptor (IR), which are expressed at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The mass-action kinetic model for both the TfR and IR antibodies were solved numerically to generate predictions for the concentrations of all species in all compartments considered. Using these models, we estimated the rates of MAb endocytosis into brain capillary endothelium, which forms the BBB in vivo, the rates of MAb exocytosis from the intra-endothelial compartment into brain extracellular space, and the rates of receptor recycling from the endothelial space back to the luminal endothelial plasma membrane. Our analysis highlights the optimal rates of MAb association with the targeted receptor. An important role of the endogenous ligand, transferrin (Tf) or insulin, in receptor-mediated-transport (RMT) of the associated MAb was found and was attributed to the five order magnitude difference between plasma concentrations of Tf (25,000 nM) and insulin (0.3 nM). Our modeling shows that the very high plasma concentration of Tf leads to only 5% of the endothelial TfR expressed on the luminal endothelial membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tom Chou
- Departments of Computational Medicine and Mathematics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
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Modeling Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Therapeutic Antibodies: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13030422. [PMID: 33800976 PMCID: PMC8003994 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With more than 90 approved drugs by 2020, therapeutic antibodies have played a central role in shifting the treatment landscape of many diseases, including autoimmune disorders and cancers. While showing many therapeutic advantages such as long half-life and highly selective actions, therapeutic antibodies still face many outstanding issues associated with their pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), including high variabilities, low tissue distributions, poorly-defined PK/PD characteristics for novel antibody formats, and high rates of treatment resistance. We have witnessed many successful cases applying PK/PD modeling to answer critical questions in therapeutic antibodies’ development and regulations. These models have yielded substantial insights into antibody PK/PD properties. This review summarized the progress, challenges, and future directions in modeling antibody PK/PD and highlighted the potential of applying mechanistic models addressing the development questions.
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