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Leach MW, Rana P, Hu W, Mittapalli RK, Pinkstaff J, Potter D, Qiu XM, Ramaiah L, Rohde C, Xia F, Khan KN. Translation of nonclinical to clinical safety findings for 27 biotherapeutics. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 484:116854. [PMID: 38346540 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116854] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Human adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and in vivo nonclinical adverse and nonadverse findings, were identified in 27 biotherapeutic programs and placed into organ categories to determine translation. The sensitivity of detecting human ADRs was 30.8% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 53.3% for nonclinical adverse findings; sensitivity increased to 67.3% and PPV fell to 35.0% when including nonadverse findings. Nonclinical findings were associated with a greater likelihood of a human ADR in that organ category, especially for adverse findings [positive likelihood ratio (LR+) >10 (lower 95% confidence interval [CI] of >5)]. The specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) were very high (>85%). A lack of nonclinical findings in an organ category was associated with a lower likelihood of a human ADR in that organ category. About 40-50% of human ADRs and nonclinical adverse findings, and about 30% of nonclinical nonadverse findings, were attributed to pharmacology. Slightly more than half of the human ADRs with a translating nonclinical finding had findings in animals that could be considered very similar. Overall, 38% of nonclinical findings translated to a human ADR at the organ category level. When nonclinical findings did not translate to humans, the cause was usually higher exposures or longer dosing in animals. All programs with human ADRs attributed to immunogenicity also had nonclinical adverse or nonadverse findings related to immunogenicity. Overall, nonclinical adverse and nonadverse findings were useful in predicting human ADRs, especially at an organ category level, and the majority of human ADRs were predicted by nonclinical toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Payal Rana
- Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA.
| | - Wenyue Hu
- Pfizer Inc., 10777 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | - Jason Pinkstaff
- Pfizer Inc., 10777 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - David Potter
- Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xing Min Qiu
- Pfizer Inc., Lane 60 Naxian Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lila Ramaiah
- Pfizer Inc., 401 N Middletown Road, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Cynthia Rohde
- Pfizer Inc., 401 N Middletown Road, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Feng Xia
- Pfizer Inc., 66 Hudson Boulevard, New York, NY 10001, USA
| | - K Nasir Khan
- Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA
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Fit-for-purpose validation of a drug-tolerant immunogenicity assay for a human mAb drug in animal safety studies. J Immunol Methods 2023; 512:113406. [PMID: 36526009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2022.113406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A modified biotin-drug extraction and acid dissociation (BEAD) immunogenicity assay was developed to detect anti-drug-antibodies (ADA) against the human anti-FXIIa monoclonal antibody (mAb) drug, Garadacimab (previously called CSL312). Multiple strategies were tested to optimize the signal-to-background (S/B) ratio, assay sensitivity and the drug tolerance. The modified BEAD assay was found to be highly drug tolerant (>500 μg/ml) with a sensitivity of 100 ng/ml, in line with current FDA regulatory guidelines. The assay was validated for use in a repeat-dose animal safety study and showed an acceptable intra-assay precision and robustness but a lower inter-assay precision. In-study sample analysis confirmed that the assay was fit-for-purpose (FFP) for the context-of-use (COU) in the nonclinical study and the results obtained were deemed meaningful.
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Frazier KS, Obert LA. Drug-induced Glomerulonephritis: The Spectre of Biotherapeutic and Antisense Oligonucleotide Immune Activation in the Kidney. Toxicol Pathol 2018; 46:904-917. [PMID: 30089413 DOI: 10.1177/0192623318789399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prevalence of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis has increased in preclinical toxicity studies, with more frequent use of biotherapeutic agents (especially antigenic humanized molecules) and antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies. Immune complex disease affects a small number of study monkeys, often correlates with antidrug antibody (ADA) titers, and occurs at a dose that favors immune complex formation or impedes clearance. While preclinical glomerulonephritis often fails to correlate with evidence of glomerular or vascular injury in human clinical trials and is not considered predictive, additional animal investigative immunohistochemical work may be performed to substantiate evidence for immune complex pathogenesis. While ADA is most commonly encountered as a predisposing factor with biotherapeutic agents, complement activation may occur without circulating complexes, and other mechanisms of non-ADA immune-mediated glomerulonephritis have been observed including nonendogenous immune aggregates and immunoregulatory pharmacology. Although glomerulonephritis associated with oligonucleotide therapies has been noted occasionally in preclinical studies and more rarely with human patients, pathophysiologic mechanisms involved appear to be different between species and preclinical cases are not considered predictive for humans. ADA is not involved in oligonucleotide-associated cases, and complement fixation plays a more important role in monkeys. Recent screening of ASOs for proinflammatory activity appears to have decreased glomerulonephritis incidence preclinically.
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Wakshull E, Quarmby V, Mahler HC, Rivers H, Jere D, Ramos M, Szczesny P, Bechtold-Peters K, Masli S, Gupta S. Advancements in Understanding Immunogenicity of Biotherapeutics in the Intraocular Space. AAPS JOURNAL 2017; 19:1656-1668. [PMID: 28795351 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-017-0128-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic breakthroughs in a number of retinal degenerative diseases have come about through the development of biotherapeutics administered directly into the eye. As a consequence of their use, we have gained more insight into the immune privileged status of the eye and the various considerations that development, manufacturing, and use of these drugs require. It has been observed that therapeutic proteins injected into the vitreous can elicit an immune response resulting in the production of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) which can have clinical consequences. This review includes discussion of the anatomy, physiology, and specific area of the eye that are targeted for drug administration. The various immunologic mechanisms involved in the immune responses to intraocularly administered protein are discussed. This review entails discussion on chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) and formulation-related issues that may influence the risk of immunogenicity. Based on the available immunogenicity profile of the marketed intraocular drugs and their reported adverse events, the animal models and the translational gap from animals to human are discussed. Thus, the objective of this review article is to assess the factors that influence immunogenicity in relation to intraocular administration and the steps taken for mitigating immunogenicity risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wakshull
- BioAnalytical Sciences Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Valerie Quarmby
- BioAnalytical Sciences Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Meg Ramos
- AbbVie, Preclinical Safety, North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | | | - Swati Gupta
- Nonclinical and Translational Sciences, Allergan, Irvine, California, USA.
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Chapman K, Adjei A, Baldrick P, da Silva A, De Smet K, DiCicco R, Hong SS, Jones D, Leach MW, McBlane J, Ragan I, Reddy P, Stewart DIH, Suitters A, Sims J. Waiving in vivo studies for monoclonal antibody biosimilar development: National and global challenges. MAbs 2016; 8:427-35. [PMID: 26854177 PMCID: PMC4966840 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1145331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosimilars are biological medicinal products that contain a version of the active substance of an already authorised original biological medicinal product (the innovator or reference product). The first approved biosimilar medicines were small proteins, and more recently biosimilar versions of innovator monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs have entered development as patents on these more complex proteins expire. In September 2013, the first biosimilar mAb, infliximab, was authorised in Europe. In March 2015, the first biosimilar (Zarxio™, filgrastim-sndz, Sandoz) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration; however, to date no mAb biosimilars have been approved in the US. There are currently major differences between how biosimilars are regulated in different parts of the world, leading to substantial variability in the amount of in vivo nonclinical toxicity testing required to support clinical development and marketing of biosimilars. There are approximately 30 national and international guidelines on biosimilar development and this number is growing. The European Union's guidance describes an approach that enables biosimilars to enter clinical trials based on robust in vitro data alone; in contrast, the World Health Organization's guidance is interpreted globally to mean in vivo toxicity studies are mandatory. We reviewed our own experience working in the global regulatory environment, surveyed current practice, determined drivers for nonclinical in vivo studies with biosimilar mAbs and shared data on practice and study design for 25 marketed and as yet unmarketed biosimilar mAbs that have been in development in the past 5y. These data showed a variety of nonclinical in vivo approaches, and also demonstrated the practical challenges faced in obtaining regulatory approval for clinical trials based on in vitro data alone. The majority of reasons for carrying out nonclinical in vivo studies were not based on scientific rationale, and therefore the authors have made recommendations for a data-driven approach to the toxicological assessment of mAb biosimilars that minimises unnecessary use of animals and can be used across all regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Chapman
- National Center for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), UK
| | - Akosua Adjei
- Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK
| | | | | | - Karen De Smet
- Federal Agency for Medical and Health Products (FAMHP), Belgium
| | | | | | - David Jones
- Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK
| | | | - James McBlane
- Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK
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Frazier KS, Engelhardt JA, Fant P, Guionaud S, Henry SP, Leach MW, Louden C, Scicchitano MS, Weaver JL, Zabka TS. Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Points-to-consider Paper*. Toxicol Pathol 2015; 43:915-34. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623315570340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Drug-induced vascular injury (DIVI) is a recurrent challenge in the development of novel pharmaceutical agents. Although DIVI in laboratory animal species has been well characterized for vasoactive small molecules, there is little available information regarding DIVI associated with biotherapeutics such as peptides/proteins or antibodies. Because of the uncertainty about whether DIVI in preclinical studies is predictive of effects in humans and the lack of robust biomarkers of DIVI, preclinical DIVI findings can cause considerable delays in or even halt development of promising new drugs. This review discusses standard terminology, characteristics, and mechanisms of DIVI associated with biotherapeutics. Guidance and points to consider for the toxicologist and pathologist facing preclinical cases of biotherapeutic-related DIVI are outlined, and examples of regulatory feedback for each of the mechanistic types of DIVI are included to provide insight into risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael W. Leach
- Pfizer—Drug Safety Research and Development, Andover, Massachusetts, USA
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Engelhardt JA, Fant P, Guionaud S, Henry SP, Leach MW, Louden C, Scicchitano MS, Weaver JL, Zabka TS, Frazier KS. Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Points-to-consider Paper*: Drug-induced Vascular Injury Associated with Nonsmall Molecule Therapeutics in Preclinical Development: Part 2. Antisense Oligonucleotides. Toxicol Pathol 2015; 43:935-44. [PMID: 25717082 DOI: 10.1177/0192623315570341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Drug-induced vascular injury (DIVI) is a recurrent challenge in the development of novel pharmaceutical agents. In recent years, DIVI has been occasionally observed in nonhuman primates given RNA-targeting therapeutics such as antisense oligonucleotide therapies (ASOs) during chronic toxicity studies. While DIVI in laboratory animal species has been well characterized for vasoactive small molecules, and immune-mediated responses against large molecule biotherapeutics have been well described, there is little published information regarding DIVI induced by ASOs to date. Preclinical DIVI findings in monkeys have caused considerable delays in development of promising new ASO therapies, because of the uncertainty about whether DIVI in preclinical studies is predictive of effects in humans, and the lack of robust biomarkers of DIVI. This review of DIVI discusses clinical and microscopic features of vasculitis in monkeys, their pathogenic mechanisms, and points to consider for the toxicologist and pathologist when confronted with ASO-related DIVI. Relevant examples of regulatory feedback are included to provide insight into risk assessment of ASO therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Michael W Leach
- Pfizer-Drug Safety Research and Development, Andover, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
Biopharmaceuticals, produced by recombinant DNA technology, are generally more complicated to produce than small molecule drugs. As patents around the development and manufacturing of these biopharmaceuticals expire, biosimilars are being developed as comparable and more affordable alternatives to improve patient access and market competition. This commentary explains what a biosimilar is; it compares and contrasts biosimilar production with that of small molecule, generic, and other biological drugs; and it describes basic principles of the nonclinical development program for monoclonal antibody biosimilars.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Ryan
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
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Rojko JL, Evans MG, Price SA, Han B, Waine G, DeWitte M, Haynes J, Freimark B, Martin P, Raymond JT, Evering W, Rebelatto MC, Schenck E, Horvath C. Formation, Clearance, Deposition, Pathogenicity, and Identification of Biopharmaceutical-related Immune Complexes. Toxicol Pathol 2014; 42:725-64. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623314526475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular inflammation, infusion reactions, glomerulopathies, and other potentially adverse effects may be observed in laboratory animals, including monkeys, on toxicity studies of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and recombinant human protein drugs. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation suggests these effects may be mediated by deposition of immune complexes (ICs) containing the drug, endogenous immunoglobulin, and/or complement components in the affected tissues. ICs may be observed in glomerulus, blood vessels, synovium, lung, liver, skin, eye, choroid plexus, or other tissues or bound to neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, or platelets. IC deposition may activate complement, kinin, and/or coagulation/fibrinolytic pathways and result in a systemic proinflammatory response. IC clearance is biphasic in humans and monkeys (first from plasma to liver and/or spleen, second from liver or spleen). IC deposition/clearance is affected by IC composition, immunomodulation, and/or complement activation. Case studies are presented from toxicity study monkeys or rats and indicate IHC-IC deposition patterns similar to those predicted by experimental studies of IC-mediated reactions to heterologous protein administration to monkeys and other species. The IHC-staining patterns are consistent with findings associated with generalized and localized IC-associated pathology in humans. However, manifestations of immunogenicity in preclinical species are generally not considered predictive to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shari A. Price
- Charles River Pathology Associates, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bora Han
- Pfizer, Inc, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Gary Waine
- CSL Limited, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Jill Haynes
- CSL Limited, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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Leach MW, Rottman JB, Hock MB, Finco D, Rojko JL, Beyer JC. Immunogenicity/hypersensitivity of biologics. Toxicol Pathol 2013; 42:293-300. [PMID: 24240973 DOI: 10.1177/0192623313510987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This continuing education course was designed to provide an overview of the immunologic mechanisms involved in immunogenicity and hypersensitivity reactions following administration of biologics in nonclinical toxicity studies, the methods used to determine whether such reactions are occurring, and the associated clinical and anatomic pathology findings. Hypersensitivity reactions have classically been divided into type I, II, III, and IV reactions; type I and III reactions are those most often observed following administration of biologics. A variety of methods can be used to detect these reactions. Antemortem methods include hematology; detection of antidrug antibodies, circulating immune complexes and complement fragments, and immunoglobulin E in serum; tests for serum complement activity; and evaluation of complement receptor 1 on erythrocytes. Postmortem methods include routine light microscopy and electron microscopy, which can demonstrate typical findings associated with hypersensitivity reactions, and immunohistochemistry, which can detect the presence of immune complexes in tissues, including the detection of the test article. A final determination of whether findings are related to a hypersensitivity reaction in individual animals or across the entire study should rely on the overall weight of evidence, as findings indicative of these reactions are not necessarily consistent across all affected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Leach
- 1Pfizer Drug Safety Research and Development, Andover, Massachusetts, USA
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