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Jensen VF, Jensen NK, Schefe LH, Sigh J, Akintomide A, Kaaber K, Moesgaard SG, Pedersen MH. The Non-Human Primate in Safety Assessment of a Bifunctional Long-Acting Insulin Analogue. Int J Toxicol 2023; 42:254-268. [PMID: 36799227 DOI: 10.1177/10915818231156898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Species selection plays a pivotal part during non-clinical safety assessment in drug development. If possible, use of non-human primates (NHPs) should be avoided due to ethical considerations. However, limiting factors as lack of pharmacologic activity in other species could necessitate use of NHPs. LAI-PCSK9i is a bi-functional molecule combining a long-acting insulin analogue with a PCSK9 inhibitor peptide aiming to provide glycaemic control and to reduce plasma LDL concentrations. The NHP was chosen for the safety assessment of LAI-PCSK9i being the most relevant species with basal levels and plasma lipid composition closest to humans, while the dog and initially also the minipig were deemed irrelevant due to lack of pharmacologic activity on LDL-lowering and biological differences in lipid profiles. An in vivo tolerability and toxicokinetic study of LAI-PCSK9i in NHPs showed recurrent and severe hypoglycaemia at very low doses. Therefore, the minipig was re-evaluated and a follow-up study thoroughly assessing blood glucose and cholesterol levels and clinical signs illustrated that minipigs dosed with LAI-PCSK9i, tolerated the compound and LAI-PCSK9i decreased glucose and LDL over time. This work underlines that careful consideration is required when selecting species during safety assessment in drug development. The tolerability issue in NHPs led to the subsequent selection of the minipig for safety evaluation of LAI-PCSK9i although as a suboptimal alternative, which unexpectedly had a measurable pharmacologic response on LDL lowering. In conclusion, the NHPs may be unsuitable as test species for safety assessment of long-acting insulin analogues due to high sensitivity to recurring hypoglycaemic episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivi Fh Jensen
- Global Drug Discovery and Development Sciences, 1450Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
| | - Nikolai K Jensen
- Global Drug Discovery and Development Sciences, 1450Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
| | - Line H Schefe
- Global Drug Discovery and Development Sciences, 1450Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
| | - Jens Sigh
- Global Drug Discovery and Development Sciences, 1450Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Mona H Pedersen
- Global Drug Discovery and Development Sciences, 1450Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
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Hall AP, Tepper JS, Boyle MH, Cary MG, Flandre TG, Piaia A, Tarnow I, Macri NP, Freke MC, Nikula KJ, Paul GR, Cauvin A, Gregori M, Haworth R, Naylor S, Price M, Robinson IN, Allen A, Gelzleichter T, Hohlbaum AM, Manetz S, Wolfreys A, Colman K, Fleurance R, Jones D, Mukaratirwa S. BSTP Review of 12 Case Studies Discussing the Challenges, Pathology, Immunogenicity, and Mechanisms of Inhaled Biologics. Toxicol Pathol 2021; 49:235-260. [PMID: 33455525 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320976094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The inhalation route is a relatively novel drug delivery route for biotherapeutics and, as a result, there is a paucity of published data and experience within the toxicology/pathology community. In recent years, findings arising in toxicology studies with inhaled biologics have provoked concern and regulatory challenges due, in part, to the lack of understanding of the expected pathology, mechanisms, and adversity induced by this mode of delivery. In this manuscript, the authors describe 12 case studies, comprising 18 toxicology studies, using a range of inhaled biotherapeutics (monoclonal antibodies, fragment antigen-binding antibodies, domain antibodies, therapeutic proteins/peptides, and an oligonucleotide) in rodents, nonhuman primates (NHPs), and the rabbit in subacute (1 week) to chronic (26 weeks) toxicology studies. Analysis of the data revealed that many of these molecules were associated with a characteristic pattern of toxicity with high levels of immunogenicity. Microscopic changes in the airways consisted of a predominantly lymphoid perivascular/peribronchiolar (PV/PB) mononuclear inflammatory cell (MIC) infiltrate, whereas changes in the terminal airways/alveoli were characterized by simple ("uncomplicated") increases in macrophages or inflammatory cell infiltrates ranging from mixed inflammatory cell infiltration to inflammation. The PV/PB MIC changes were considered most likely secondary to immunogenicity, whereas simple increases in alveolar macrophages were most likely secondary to clearance mechanisms. Alveolar inflammatory cell infiltrates and inflammation were likely induced by immune modulation or stimulation through pharmacologic effects on target biology or type III hypersensitivity (immune complex disease). Finally, a group of experts provide introductory thoughts regarding the adversity of inhaled biotherapeutics and the basis for reasonable differences of opinion that might arise between toxicologists, pathologists, and regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Thierry G Flandre
- 98560Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Piaia
- 98560Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Mark C Freke
- 70294Charles River Laboratories Montreal ULC, Senneville, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Stuart Naylor
- Charles River Laboratories, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Price
- 1929GlaxoSmithKline, Ware, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karyn Colman
- 70089Genomics Institute for the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA
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Hall AP, Cauvin A, Dudal S, Raymond J, Rogerson P, Jolette J. Case Studies Discussing the Pathology, Immunogenicity, and Proposed Mechanism of Toxicity of an Inhaled Anti-TGFβ Humanized Fab Antibody in Non-Human Primates and Mice. Toxicol Pathol 2020; 49:315-333. [PMID: 33167807 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320960023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of nonhuman primates and mice with a humanized antigen-binding fragment (Fab) antibody (UCBFab) inhibiting transforming growth factor β via daily inhalation for up to 13 weeks resulted in low systemic exposure but high local exposure in the lung. Target engagement was demonstrated by reduced levels of signal transducers, phosphoSMAD and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Treatment was associated with a high frequency and titer of antidrug antibodies, indicating high local immunogenicity, and local pathology within the lung and draining lymph nodes. Microscopic changes were characterized by perivascular (PV) and peribronchiolar (PB) mononuclear inflammatory cell (MIC) infiltrates that were principally lymphocytic in nature and mixed inflammatory cell infiltrates and/or inflammation within the alveoli. Immunohistochemical investigation revealed a predominantly CD68-positive macrophage and CD3- and CD8>CD4-positive T-cell response in the alveoli, whereas within the airways, there was a variable mixture of CD3-positive T cells, CD20-positive B cells, and CD68-positive macrophages. Increased cellularity of the draining lymph nodes was also noted, indicating the presence of an immune response to the inhaled test article. Morphologic changes did not progress over time, and all changes partially recovered. Increased leukocytes (principally macrophages) in BALF cytology correlated with the changes seen by histopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - James Raymond
- Charles River Pathology Associates, Frederick, MA, USA
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Abstract
Dose is highly important to studies of inhaled agents because there must be an understanding of the dose delivered to humans, the dose delivered to animals in toxicology studies, and an ability to interpret and compare both sets of information relative to safety. Unlike oral or intravenous administrations, total delivered or inhaled dose is not easy to determine following inhalation exposure and is also not necessarily the most important determinant of toxicity. A review of dose distribution throughout the respiratory tract as well as total inhaled dose is provided. The implications of regional deposition for biologics are reviewed and specific examples over a range of different molecular weights are provided. Biologics are generally large enough that absorption from ciliated epithelia is low. Thus, deposition of biologics in head airways and tracheobronchial regions is unlikely to be of high importance unless there are interactions with specific receptors at these sites. Therefore, it is the dose of proteins or biologics deposited in the alveolar region that are generally of most interest.
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Preserving Airway Smooth Muscle Contraction in Precision-Cut Lung Slices. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6480. [PMID: 32296115 PMCID: PMC7160136 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63225-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) are ideal for measuring small airway contraction. However, these measurements are currently limited to acute exposure scenarios that typically last a few minutes to a few hours. Using an insulin-supplemented culture medium, we prolong the small airway contractility in mouse PCLS for up to two weeks. Compared to conventional culture medium, insulin-supplemented culture medium provides no additional benefit in preserving cellular viability or airway structure. However, it protects the airway smooth muscle (ASM) against a loss of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) expression. We elucidate the significance of this new culture medium for chronic disease modeling of IL-13-induced airway hyper-responsiveness.
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Wolff RK, Brain JD, Patton JS, Liggitt D. Response to paper by Singh et al. “Hyperinsulinemia adversely affects lung structure and function”. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 311:L180-2. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00187.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph D. Brain
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Denny Liggitt
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Systemic delivery of biotherapeutics through the lung: opportunities and challenges for improved lung absorption. Ther Deliv 2014; 4:1511-25. [PMID: 24304249 DOI: 10.4155/tde.13.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of Exubera(®) (inhaled insulin) has paved the way for consideration of future inhaled biotherapeutic products for systemic delivery. This route of drug delivery favors highly potent small peptides without self-association and large proteins resistant to enzymatic degradation for high bioavailability, while likely resulting in transient therapeutic effects. Improved therapeutic benefits with a needle-free delivery, such as inhaled insulin, are also rational pursuits. Molecules and their formulations must be carefully chosen and designed to optimize the rates of lung absorption and nonabsorptive loss. Novel molecular or formulation approaches, for example, Technosphere(®), Fc-/scFv-fusion protein, PEGylation, polymeric or lipid-based micro/nanoparticles and liposomes, offer opportunities to improve lung absorption and therapeutic duration of some biotherapeutics. Critical assessments are now essential as to their therapeutic benefits, safety, patient acceptance and market competition, as carried out for Exubera.
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McElroy MC, Kirton C, Gliddon D, Wolff RK. Inhaled biopharmaceutical drug development: nonclinical considerations and case studies. Inhal Toxicol 2013; 25:219-32. [PMID: 23480198 DOI: 10.3109/08958378.2013.769037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Biopharmaceuticals are complex molecules often manufactured from living systems and their specificity and novelty holds great promise for the treatment of chronic diseases for which there are currently no cures. The inhalation route of biopharmaceutical drug delivery is attractive because the large surface area of the lung, and close proximity of the alveolar and vascular systems, maximizes the potential for drug delivery to the lung and/or systemic circulation. In addition, costs of delivery to the patient are potentially much reduced, in comparison with parental administration, since inhalation is non-invasive and likely to promote patient compliance. However, in comparison with small molecule drug development, developing an inhaled biopharmaceutical that is effective and safe for human use is associated with many challenges. This review considers some general principles of drug delivery to lung and issues associated with the translation of proof of concept studies to toxicology safety studies (e.g. aerosol generation, species selection, exaggerated pharmacology, and immunogenicity). This review also presents a summary of nonclinical and clinical data from inhaled biopharmaceuticals which are either marketed for human use or in Phase II clinical trials (e.g. DNase, insulin, human growth hormone, vaccines, therapeutic plasmid DNA complexes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C McElroy
- Charles River Laboratories, Preclinical Services, Edinburgh, UK.
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Phalen RF, Mendez LB. Dosimetry considerations for animal aerosol inhalation studies. Biomarkers 2010; 14 Suppl 1:63-6. [PMID: 19604062 DOI: 10.1080/13547500902965468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The determination of the dose of inhaled aerosol particles in animal subjects is not a trivial exercise. In its simplest form, the dose is the amount (particle number, mass or other relevant metric) that deposits in the respiratory tract. The amount deposited will depend on the aerosol particle sizes (e.g. the aerodynamic diameter size distribution), the duration of exposure, the exposure system's delivery efficiency, the subject's ventilation rate, the species and strain, and other factors. Similarly, species differences in the clearance rates of deposited particles will influence the time integrated particle doses. In practice, particle doses are estimated using mathematical models, previous experimental dosimetry data, tracers of the inhaled particles and biomarkers of exposure. With care, desired aerosol doses can be achieved and documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Phalen
- Department of Community and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1825, USA.
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Fernandes CA, Vanbever R. Preclinical models for pulmonary drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2009; 6:1231-45. [DOI: 10.1517/17425240903241788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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