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Lorbetskie B, Bigelow S, Walrond L, Klein AV, Loo SM, Green N, Rosu-Myles M, Zhang X, Lu H, Girard M, Sauvé S. Regulatory Verification by Health Canada of Content in Recombinant Human Insulin, Human Insulin Analog, and Porcine Insulin Drug Products in the Canadian Market Using Validated Pharmacopoeial Methods Over Nonvalidated Approaches. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2023:19322968231159360. [PMID: 36912012 DOI: 10.1177/19322968231159360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For diabetes mellitus treatment plans, the consistency and quality of insulin drug products are crucial for patient well-being. Because biologic drugs, such as insulin, are complex heterogeneous products, the methods for drug product evaluation should be carefully validated for use. As such, these criteria are rigorously evaluated and monitored by national authorities. Consequently, reports that describe significantly lower insulin content than their label claims are a concern. This issue was raised by a past publication analyzing insulin drug products available in Canada, and, as a result, consumers and major patient organizations have requested clarification. METHODS To address these concerns, this study independently analyzed insulin drug products purchased from local Canadian pharmacies-including human insulin, insulin analogs, and porcine insulin-by compendial and noncompendial reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) methods. RESULTS We demonstrated the importance of using methods fit for purpose when assessing insulin quality. In a preliminary screen, the expected insulin peak was seen in all products except two insulin analogs-insulin detemir and insulin degludec. Further investigation showed that this was not caused by low insulin content but insufficient solvent conditions, which demonstrated the necessity for methods to be adequately validated for product-specific use. When drug products were appropriately assessed for content using the validated type-specific compendial RP-HPLC methods for insulin quantitation, values agreed with the label claim content. CONCLUSIONS Because insulin drug products are used daily by over a million Canadians, it is important that researchers and journals present data using methods fit for purpose and that readers evaluate such reports critically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Lorbetskie
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Stewart Bigelow
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Walrond
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Agnes V Klein
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shih-Miin Loo
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nancy Green
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Rosu-Myles
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Xu Zhang
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Huixin Lu
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michel Girard
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Simon Sauvé
- Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Garrett TJ, Feizbakhsh Bazargani S, Harmon T, Kruse J, Atkinson P, Quinlivan EP, Ang L, Hirsch IB, Laffel L, Pietropaolo M, Haller MJ, Atkinson MA. Commercially Available Insulin Products Demonstrate Consistency With Product Labeling Throughout All Seasons in the U.S. Diabetes Care 2022; 45:e166-e168. [PMID: 36102751 DOI: 10.2337/dc22-0972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Garrett
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Sina Feizbakhsh Bazargani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Taylor Harmon
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Jordan Kruse
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | | | - Eoin P Quinlivan
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Lynn Ang
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Irl B Hirsch
- Endocrine and Diabetes Care Center, University of Washington Medical Center-Roosevelt, Seattle, WA
| | - Lori Laffel
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Massimo Pietropaolo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Michael J Haller
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida Diabetes Institute, Gainesville, FL
| | - Mark A Atkinson
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Insulin for Life USA, Gainesville, FL.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida Diabetes Institute, Gainesville, FL
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3
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Abstract
BACKGROUND For insulins in commercial formulations, degradation can be observed within the certified shelf life when not stored at recommended conditions. Elevated temperatures and exposure to shear forces can cause changes in the secondary structure of the hormone, leading to a decrease in pharmaceutical potency. International pharmacopoeia recommendations for insulin quality monitoring assays mainly rely on liquid chromatography methods. These methods are unable to distinguish between active and inactive forms, both of which may exist in pharmaceutical insulins exposed to stress conditions. METHOD Infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy has been used for the analysis of insulin dry film preparations using affordable instrumentation. This method can be applied to either formulated insulin specimens or pure insulins obtained by ultrafiltration. Such samples have been stored under different temperatures (0°C, 20°C, and 37°C), and degradation processes have been monitored up to a period of a few months. RESULTS By analyzing specific shifts of absorption bands in the infrared spectra, which are sensitive to the protein secondary structure, even small structural changes in the hormone become evident. Another option is amide I band deconvolution into individual bands, which can be attributed to secondary structure subunits that are part of the insulin tertiary structure. CONCLUSION A novel and innovative method based on infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy of insulin dry films is a promising analytical tool for quantifying the degree of insulin degradation, as it provides information on indicating a decrease in biological potency. The established methods for insulin potency assays require animal testing or clamp experiments on people with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Delbeck
- Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences, South-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Iserlohn, Germany
| | - H. Michael Heise
- Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences, South-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Iserlohn, Germany
- H. Michael Heise, PhD, Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences, South-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Frauenstuhlweg 31, D-58644 Iserlohn, Germany.
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4
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Delbeck S, Heise HM. Systematic stability testing of insulins as representative biopharmaceuticals using ATR FTIR-spectroscopy with focus on quality assurance. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2021; 26:JBO-200413SSR. [PMID: 33686847 PMCID: PMC7939270 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.26.4.043007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Bioactive proteins represent the most important component class in biopharmaceutical products for therapeutic applications. Their production is most often biotechnologically realized by genetically engineered microorganisms. For the quality assurance of insulins as representatives of life-saving pharmaceuticals, analytical methods are required that allow more than total protein quantification in vials or batches. Chemical and physical factors such as unstable temperatures or shear rate exposure under storage can lead to misfolding, nucleation, and subsequent fibril forming of the insulins. The assumption is valid that these processes go parallel with a decrease in bioactivity. AIM Infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been successfully utilized for secondary structure analysis in cases of protein misfolding and fibril formation. APPROACH A reliable method for the quantification of the secondary structure changes has been developed using insulin dry-film Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy in combination with the attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique and subsequent data analyses such as band-shift determination, spectral band deconvolution, and principal component analysis. RESULTS A systematic study of insulin spectra was carried out on model insulin specimens, available either as original formulations or as hormones purified by ultrafiltration. Insulin specimens were stored at different temperatures, i.e., 0°C, 20°C, and 37°C, respectively, for up to three months. Weekly ATR-measurements allowed the monitoring of hormone secondary structure changes, which are supposed to be negatively correlated with insulin bioactivity. CONCLUSIONS It could be shown that IR-ATR spectroscopy offers a fast and reliable analytical method for the determination of secondary structural changes within insulin molecules, as available in pharmaceutical insulin formulations and therefore challenges internationally established measurement techniques for quality control regarding time, costs, and effort of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Delbeck
- South-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences, Iserlohn, Germany
| | - H. Michael Heise
- South-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences, Iserlohn, Germany
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5
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Neumiller JJ, Chen G, Newsome C, Hughes S, Lazarus P, White JR. Assessment of Regular and NPH Insulin Concentration via Two Methods of Quantification: The Washington State Insulin Concentration Study (WICS). J Diabetes Sci Technol 2021; 15:324-328. [PMID: 31640422 PMCID: PMC8256080 DOI: 10.1177/1932296819883291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent reports have suggested that insulin vials purchased in community pharmacies do not meet the minimum required intact insulin concentration (≥95 U/mL) as defined by the United States Pharmacopeia. We sought to independently obtain multidose human insulin vials from a variety of community pharmacies across the state of Washington and quantitatively measure intact insulin. METHODS Sixty 10-mL vials of insulin (n = 30 regular human insulin and n = 30 neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin) were purchased and assayed. To ensure random selection of lots and supply chain sources, insulin samples were purchased on a variety of calendar dates from various pharmacy locations across Washington State, inclusive of both chain and independent pharmacies. All samples were assessed for intact insulin concentration via both Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with UV detection (UPLC-UV) and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). RESULTS When considering all samples (N = 60), the mean concentration was 101.8 ± 4.4and 91.5 ± 1.9 U/mL as determined by UPLC-UV and UPLC-MS, respectively. Measured concentrations ranged from 90.0 to 108.4 U/mL when assayed by UV UPLC and 86.1 to 95.4 U/mL for UPLC-MS. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study following the report by Carter et al that assessed human insulin concentrations by both UPLC-UV and UPLC-MS. These findings are important because they demonstrate that the results obtained from these two methods differ and that the method used must be considered when interpreting findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J. Neumiller
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, College
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA,
USA
- Joshua J. Neumiller, PharmD, Department of
Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington
State University, 412 East Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202-2131, USA.
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University,
Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Cheyenne Newsome
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, College
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA,
USA
| | - Sally Hughes
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, College
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA,
USA
| | - Philip Lazarus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University,
Spokane, WA, USA
| | - John R. White
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, College
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA,
USA
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Garrett TJ, Atkinson P, Quinlivan EP, Ang L, Hirsch IB, Laffel L, Pietropaolo M, Haller MJ, Atkinson MA. Commercially Available Insulin Products Demonstrate Stability Throughout the Cold Supply Chain Across the U.S. Diabetes Care 2020; 43:1360-1362. [PMID: 32273273 PMCID: PMC7245346 DOI: 10.2337/dc19-1941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A recent publication questioned the integrity of insulin purchased from U.S. retail pharmacies. We sought to independently validate the method used, isotope dilution solid-phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and expand analysis to two U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) methods (high-performance LC with ultraviolet detection and LC-MS). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Each method was used to evaluate nine insulin formulations, purchased at four pharmacies, within five geographic locations in the U.S. RESULTS All human and analog insulins measured by the USP methods (n = 174) contained the expected quantity of active insulin (100 ± 5 units/mL). When using isotope dilution SPE-LC-MS, units-per-milliliter values were well below product labeling due to unequal recovery of the internal standard compared with target insulin. CONCLUSIONS Insulin purchased from U.S. pharmacies is consistent with product labeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Garrett
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | | | - Eoin P Quinlivan
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Lynn Ang
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Irl B Hirsch
- Endocrine Care Center, University of Washington Medical Center-Roosevelt, Seattle, WA
| | - Lori Laffel
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Massimo Pietropaolo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Michael J Haller
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida Diabetes Institute, Gainesville, FL
| | - Mark A Atkinson
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- Insulin for Life USA, Gainesville, FL
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida Diabetes Institute, Gainesville, FL
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7
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Virmani A, Avni TCA. A Case for Expanding Thermochromic Vial Monitor Technology to Insulin and Other Biologics. Indian Pediatr 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13312-020-1696-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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8
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Moses A, Bjerrum J, Hach M, Wæhrens LH, Toft AD. Concentrations of Intact Insulin Concurs With FDA and EMA Standards When Measured by HPLC in Different Parts of the Distribution Cold Chain. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2019; 13:55-59. [PMID: 29952654 PMCID: PMC6313285 DOI: 10.1177/1932296818783783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The article by Carter and Heinemann raised serious concerns about the concentrations of insulin in vials being sold in US pharmacies. To study the claims made in the manuscript, we reviewed Novo Nordisk data on insulin concentration. METHODS Insulin concentrations within vials from three different sources along the distribution chain were evaluated utilizing currently accepted US Pharmacopeia methodology: (1) insulin content and stability based on production batches covering 7 years of insulin production, (2) insulin content in samples returned to Novo Nordisk over the last three years in the United States, and (3) data from eight years of independent EMA testing. RESULTS The data demonstrated that without exception (1) insulin quality based on stability data was maintained, even in scenarios that stressed the normal recommendations for temperature storage conditions, (2) insulin content from the last three years of samples returned to Novo Nordisk from patients in the United States (233 vials) was within USP requirements recognized by FDA, and (3) ten years of independent EMA sampling of products obtained at wholesalers and pharmacies across the EU confirmed compliance (n = 43). CONCLUSIONS The study by Carter and Heinemann utilized an LC-MS technique, which has not been validated for the quantification of insulin in pharmaceutical preparations. It appears likely that their findings are the result of the method utilized and not due to decreased insulin content in samples. However, recognizing the importance of maintaining Insulin content from production to the patient, Novo Nordisk supports continued evaluation of insulin distributed to pharmacies and patients utilizing validated techniques compliant with international pharmacopeias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Moses
- Novo Nordisk Inc, Plainsboro Township, NJ, USA
- Alan Moses, MD, Novo Nordisk Inc, 800 Scudders Mill Rd, Plainsboro Township, NJ 08536, USA.
| | | | - Morten Hach
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Carter AW, Heinemann L. In Response to Letters to the Editor From the American Diabetes Association and Eli Lilly in Regard to: Insulin Concentration in Vials Randomly Purchased in Pharmacies in the United States: Considerable Loss in the Cold Supply Chain. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2018; 12:1072-1077. [PMID: 29788777 PMCID: PMC6134625 DOI: 10.1177/1932296818779411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan W. Carter
- University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Alan W. Carter, PharmD, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Pharmacy (UMKC), 2464 Charlotte St., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
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