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Suresh Babu S, Duvvuru H, Baker J, Switalski S, Shafa M, Panchalingam KM, Dadgar S, Beller J, Ahmadian Baghbaderani B. Characterization of human induced pluripotent stems cells: Current approaches, challenges, and future solutions. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 37:e00784. [PMID: 36818379 PMCID: PMC9929203 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have demonstrated massive potentials for use in regenerative and personalized medicine due to their ability to expand in culture and differentiate into specialized cells with therapeutic benefits. However, in order to industrialize iPSC-derived therapies, it is necessary to address the existing challenges surrounding the analytics implemented in the manufacturing process to evaluate and monitor cell expansion, differentiation, and quality of the final products. Here, we review some of the key analytical methods used as part of identity, potency, or safety for in-process or final product release testing and highlighted the challenges and potential solutions for consideration in the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) strategy for iPSC-based therapies. Some of the challenges associated with characterization and testing of iPSC-based products are related to the choice of analytical technology (to ensure fit-for-purpose), assay reliability and robustness. Automation of analytical methods may be required to reduce hands on time, and improve reliability of the methods through reducing assay variability. Indeed, we have shown that automation of analytical methods is feasible (evaluated using an ELISA based assay) and would result in more precise measurements (demonstrated by lower co-efficient of Variation and standard deviation), less hands-on time, and swift compared to a manually run assay. Therefore, in order to support commercialization of iPSC-based therapies we suggest a well-designed testing strategy to be established in the development phase while incorporating robust, reproducible, reliable, and potentially automated analytics in the manufacturing process.
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Ho YK, Loke KM, Woo JY, Lee YL, Too HP. Cryopreservation does not change the performance and characteristics of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells highly over-expressing a cytoplasmic therapeutic transgene for cancer treatment. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:519. [PMID: 36376945 PMCID: PMC9663191 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03198-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) driven gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy is a promising approach to deliver therapeutic agents to target heterogenous solid tumours. To democratize such a therapy, cryopreservation along with cold chain transportation is an essential part of the logistical process and supply chain. Previously, we have successfully engineered MSCs by a non-viral DNA transfection approach for prolonged and exceptionally high expression of the fused transgene cytosine deaminase, uracil phosphoribosyl transferase and green fluorescent protein (CD::UPRT::GFP). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cryopreservation of MSCs engineered to highly overexpress this cytoplasmic therapeutic transgene. Methods Modified MSCs were preserved in a commercially available, GMP-grade cryopreservative—CryoStor10 (CS10) for up to 11 months. Performance of frozen-modified MSCs was compared to freshly modified equivalents in vitro. Cancer killing potency was evaluated using four different cancer cell lines. Migratory potential was assessed using matrigel invasion assay and flow cytometric analysis for CXCR4 expression. Frozen-modified MSC was used to treat canine patients via intra-tumoral injections, or by intravenous infusion followed by a daily dose of 5-flucytosine (5FC). Results We found that cryopreservation did not affect the transgene expression, cell viability, adhesion, phenotypic profile, and migration of gene modified canine adipose tissue derived MSCs. In the presence of 5FC, the thawed and freshly modified MSCs showed comparable cytotoxicity towards one canine and three human cancer cell lines in vitro. These cryopreserved cells were stored for about a year and then used to treat no-option-left canine patients with two different types of cancers and notably, the patients showed progression-free interval of more than 20 months, evidence of the effectiveness in treating spontaneously occurring cancers. Conclusion This study supports the use of cryopreserved, off-the-shelf transiently transfected MSCs for cancer treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-03198-z.
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Capelli C, Frigerio S, Lisini D, Nava S, Gaipa G, Belotti D, Cabiati B, Budelli S, Lazzari L, Bagnarino J, Tanzi M, Comoli P, Perico N, Introna M, Golay J. A comprehensive report of long-term stability data for a range ATMPs: A need to develop guidelines for safe and harmonized stability studies. Cytotherapy 2022; 24:544-556. [PMID: 35177338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are novel drugs based on genes, cells or tissues developed to treat many different diseases. Stability studies of each new ATMP need to be performed to define its shelf life and guarantee efficacy and safety upon infusion, and these are presently based on guidelines originally drafted for standard pharmaceutical drugs, which have properties and are stored in conditions quite different from cell products. The aim of this report is to provide evidence-based information for stability studies on ATMPs that will facilitate the interlaboratory harmonization of practices in this area. METHODS We have collected and analyzed the results of stability studies on 19 different cell-based experimental ATMPs, produced by five authorized cell factories forming the Lombardy "Plagencell network" for use in 36 approved phase I/II clinical trials; most were cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen vapors for 1 to 13 years. RESULTS The cell attributes collected in stability studies included cell viability, immunophenotype and potency assays, in particular immunosuppression, cytotoxicity, cytokine release and proliferation/differentiation capacity. Microbiological attributes including sterility, endotoxin levels and mycoplasma contamination were also analyzed. All drug products (DPs), cryopreserved in various excipients containing 10% DMSO and in different primary containers, were very stable long term at <-150°C and did not show any tendency for diminished viability or efficacy for up to 13.5 years. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that new guidelines for stability studies, specific for ATMPs and based on risk analyses, should be drafted to harmonize practices, significantly reduce the costs of stability studies without diminishing safety. Some specific suggestions are presented in the discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Capelli
- Center of Cellular Therapy "G. Lanzani", ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy; Fondazione per la Ricerca Ospedale di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Simona Frigerio
- Cell Therapy Production Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Lisini
- Cell Therapy Production Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Nava
- Cell Therapy Production Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gaipa
- Laboratory of Cell and Gene Therapy Stefano Verri, ASST Monza Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Daniela Belotti
- Laboratory of Cell and Gene Therapy Stefano Verri, ASST Monza Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Benedetta Cabiati
- Laboratory of Cell and Gene Therapy Stefano Verri, ASST Monza Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Silvia Budelli
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine - Cell Factory, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Lorenza Lazzari
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine - Cell Factory, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Jessica Bagnarino
- UOSD Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Tanzi
- UOSD Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Comoli
- UOSD Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Norberto Perico
- Aldo & Cele Daccò Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases, Istituto Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Martino Introna
- Center of Cellular Therapy "G. Lanzani", ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
| | - Josée Golay
- Center of Cellular Therapy "G. Lanzani", ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy; Fondazione per la Ricerca Ospedale di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
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Shibamiya A, Schulze E, Krauß D, Augustin C, Reinsch M, Schulze ML, Steuck S, Mearini G, Mannhardt I, Schulze T, Klampe B, Werner T, Saleem U, Knaust A, Laufer SD, Neuber C, Lemme M, Behrens CS, Loos M, Weinberger F, Fuchs S, Eschenhagen T, Hansen A, Ulmer BM. Cell Banking of hiPSCs: A Practical Guide to Cryopreservation and Quality Control in Basic Research. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 55:e127. [PMID: 32956561 DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The reproducibility of stem cell research relies on the constant availability of quality-controlled cells. As the quality of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can deteriorate in the course of a few passages, cell banking is key to achieve consistent results and low batch-to-batch variation. Here, we provide a cost-efficient route to generate master and working cell banks for basic research projects. In addition, we describe minimal protocols for quality assurance including tests for sterility, viability, pluripotency, and genetic integrity. © 2020 The Authors. Basic Protocol 1: Expansion of hiPSCs Basic Protocol 2: Cell banking of hiPSCs Support Protocol 1: Pluripotency assessment by flow cytometry Support Protocol 2: Thawing control: Viability and sterility Support Protocol 3: Potency, viral clearance, and pluripotency: Spontaneous differentiation and qRT-PCR Support Protocol 4: Identity: Short tandem repeat analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Shibamiya
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Schulze
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dana Krauß
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Current address: Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christa Augustin
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marina Reinsch
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mirja Loreen Schulze
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Steuck
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giulia Mearini
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingra Mannhardt
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schulze
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Klampe
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Werner
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Umber Saleem
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anika Knaust
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sandra D Laufer
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Neuber
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Lemme
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Charlotta Sophie Behrens
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Loos
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Weinberger
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sigrid Fuchs
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arne Hansen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bärbel Maria Ulmer
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
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