1
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Cook KD, Tran T, Thomas VA, Devanaboyina SC, Rock DA, Pearson JT. Correlation of In Vitro Kinetic Stability to Preclinical In Vivo Pharmacokinetics for a Panel of Anti-PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody Interleukin 21 Mutein Immunocytokines. Drug Metab Dispos 2024; 52:228-235. [PMID: 38135505 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.123.001555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of therapeutic fusion protein drugs is often impeded by the unintended consequences that occur from fusing together domains from independent naturally occurring proteins, consequences such as altered biodistribution, tissue uptake, or rapid clearance and potential immunogenicity. For therapeutic fusion proteins containing globular domains, we hypothesized that aberrant in vivo behavior could be related to low kinetic stability of these domains leading to local unfolding and susceptibility to partial proteolysis and/or salvage and uptake. Herein we describe an assay to measure kinetic stability of therapeutic fusion proteins by way of their sensitivity to the protease thermolysin. The results indicate that in vivo pharmacokinetics of a panel of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monocolonal antibody:interleukin 21 immunocytokines in both mice and nonhuman primates are highly correlated with their in vitro susceptibility to thermolysin-mediated proteolysis. This assay can be used as a tool to quickly identify in vivo liabilities of globular domains of therapeutic proteins, thus aiding in the optimization and development of new multispecific drug candidates. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This work describes a novel assay utilizing protein kinetic stability to identify preclinical in vivo pharmacokinetic liabilities of multispecific therapeutic fusion proteins. This provides an efficient, inexpensive method to ascertain inherent protein stability in vitro before conducting in vivo studies, which can rapidly increase the speed of preclinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Cook
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | - Thuy Tran
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | - Veena A Thomas
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | | | - Dan A Rock
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | - Josh T Pearson
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
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2
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Ó'Fágáin C. Protein Stability: Enhancement and Measurement. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2699:369-419. [PMID: 37647007 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3362-5_18] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
This chapter defines protein stability, emphasizes its importance, and surveys the field of protein stabilization, with summary reference to a selection of 2014-2021 publications. One can enhance stability, particularly by protein engineering strategies but also by chemical modification and by other means. General protocols are set out on how to measure a given protein's (i) kinetic thermal stability and (ii) oxidative stability and (iii) how to undertake chemical modification of a protein in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciarán Ó'Fágáin
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
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3
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Walles M, Berna MJ, Jian W, Hauri S, Hengel S, King L, Tran JC, Wei C, Xu K, Zhu X. A Cross Company Perspective on the Assessment of Therapeutic Protein Biotransformation. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:846-857. [DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000462] [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: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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4
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The role of ligand-binding assay and LC-MS in the bioanalysis of complex protein and oligonucleotide therapeutics. Bioanalysis 2021; 13:931-954. [PMID: 33998268 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2021-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligand-binding assay (LBA) and LC-MS have been the preferred bioanalytical techniques for the quantitation and biotransformation assessment of various therapeutic modalities. This review provides an overview of the applications of LBA, LC-MS/MS and LC-HRMS for the bioanalysis of complex protein therapeutics including antibody-drug conjugates, fusion proteins and PEGylated proteins as well as oligonucleotide therapeutics. The strengths and limitations of LBA and LC-MS, along with some guidelines on the choice of appropriate bioanalytical technique(s) for the bioanalysis of these therapeutic modalities are presented. With the discovery of novel and more complex therapeutic modalities, there is an increased need for the biopharmaceutical industry to develop a comprehensive bioanalytical strategy integrating both LBA and LC-MS.
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5
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Shi J, Chen X, Diao J, Jiang L, Li L, Li S, Liang W, Jin X, Wang Y, Wong C, Zhang XT, Tse FLS. Bioanalysis in the Age of New Drug Modalities. AAPS JOURNAL 2021; 23:64. [PMID: 33942188 PMCID: PMC8093172 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00594-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the absence of regulatory guidelines for the bioanalysis of new drug modalities, many of which contain multiple functional domains, bioanalytical strategies have been carefully designed to characterize the intact drug and each functional domain in terms of quantity, functionality, biotransformation, and immunogenicity. The present review focuses on the bioanalytical challenges and considerations for RNA-based drugs, bispecific antibodies and multi-domain protein therapeutics, prodrugs, gene and cell therapies, and fusion proteins. Methods ranging from the conventional ligand binding assays and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assays to quantitative polymerase chain reaction or flow cytometry often used for oligonucleotides and cell and gene therapies are discussed. Best practices for method selection and validation are proposed as well as a future perspective to address the bioanalytical needs of complex modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shi
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China.
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Jianbo Diao
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Liying Jiang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Lan Li
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Stephen Li
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Wenzhong Liang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Xiaoying Jin
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Colton Wong
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Xiaolong Tom Zhang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Francis L S Tse
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
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6
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A guided approach to preclinical bioanalysis of proteins using immunoassays for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessments. Bioanalysis 2020; 12:1105-1110. [DOI: 10.4155/bio-2020-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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7
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Yu X, Fridman A, Bagchi A, Xu S, Kwasnjuk KA, Lu P, Cancilla MT. Metabolite Identification of Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins by Top-down Differential Mass Spectrometry and Metabolite Database Matching. Anal Chem 2020; 92:8298-8305. [PMID: 32402188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
As metabolism impacts the efficacy and safety of therapeutic peptides and proteins (TPPs), understanding of the metabolic fate of TPPs is critical for their preclinical and clinical development. Despite the continued increase of new TPPs entering clinical trials, the metabolite identification (MetID) of these emerging modalities remains challenging. In the present study, we report an analytical workflow for MetID of TPPs. Using insulin detemir as an example, we demonstrated that top-down differential mass spectrometry (dMS) was able to distinguish and discover metabolites from complex biological matrices. For structural interpretation, we developed an algorithm to generate a complete and nonredundant theoretical metabolite database for a TPP of any topology (e.g., branched, multicyclic, etc.). Candidate structures of a metabolite were obtained by matching the monoisotopic mass of a dMS feature to the theoretical metabolite database. Finally, the MS/MS sequence tags enabled unambiguous characterization of metabolite structures when isobaric/isomeric candidates were present. This platform is widely applicable to TPPs with complex structures and will ultimately guide the structural optimization of TPPs in pharmaceutical development.
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Pharmacokinetic Characterization and Tissue Distribution of Fusion Protein Therapeutics by Orthogonal Bioanalytical Assays and Minimal PBPK Modeling. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25030535. [PMID: 31991858 PMCID: PMC7037219 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25030535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterization of pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and target tissue distribution of therapeutic fusion proteins (TFPs) are critical in supporting in vivo efficacy. We evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile of an investigational TFP consisting of human immunoglobulin G4 fused to the modified interferon alpha by orthogonal bioanalytical assays and applied minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to characterize the TFP pharmacokinetics in mouse. The conventional ligand binding assay (LBA), immunocapture-liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (IC-LC/MS) detecting the human IgG4 peptide or the interferon alpha peptide were developed to measure the TFP concentrations in mouse plasma and tumor. The minimal PBPK model incorporated a tumor compartment model was used for data fitting. The plasma clearance measured by LBA and IC-LC/MS was comparable in the range of 0.5–0.6 mL/h/kg. However, the tumor exposure measured by the generic human IgG4 IC-LC/MS was significantly underestimated compared with the interferon alpha specific IC-LC/MS and LBA. Furthermore, the minimal PBPK model simultaneously captured the relationship between plasma and tissue exposure. We proposed the streamlined practical strategy to characterize the plasma exposure and tumor distribution of a TFP by both LBA and IC-LC/MS. The minimal PBPK modeling was established for better understanding of pharmacokinetic profile of investigational TFPs in the biotherapeutic discovery.
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9
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Rock BM, Foti RS. Pharmacokinetic and Drug Metabolism Properties of Novel Therapeutic Modalities. Drug Metab Dispos 2019; 47:1097-1099. [PMID: 31399505 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.119.088708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery and development of novel pharmaceutical therapies is rapidly transitioning from a small molecule-dominated focus to a more balanced portfolio consisting of small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, engineered proteins (modified endogenous proteins, bispecific antibodies, and fusion proteins), oligonucleotides, and gene-based therapies. This commentary, and the special issue as a whole, aims to highlight these emerging modalities and the efforts underway to better understand their unique pharmacokinetic and absorption, disposition, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. The articles highlighted herein can be broadly grouped into those focusing on the ADME properties of novel therapeutics, those exploring targeted-delivery strategies, and finally, those discussing oligonucleotide therapies. It is also evident that whereas the field in general continues to progress toward new and more complex molecules, a significant amount of effort is still being placed on antibody-drug conjugates. As therapeutic molecules become increasingly complex, a parallel demand for advancements in experimental and analytical tools will become increasingly evident, both to increase the speed and efficiency of identifying safe and efficacious molecules and simultaneously decreasing our dependence on in vivo studies in preclinical species. The research and commentary included in this special issue will provide researchers, clinicians, and the patients we serve more options in the ongoing fight against grievous illnesses and unmet medical needs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Recent trends in drug discovery and development suggest a shift away from a small molecule-dominated approach to a more balanced portfolio that includes small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, engineered proteins, and gene therapies. The research presented in this special issue of Drug Metabolism and Disposition will serve to highlight advancements in the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the pharmacokinetic and drug metabolism properties of the novel therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke M Rock
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California (B.M.R.) and Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.S.F.)
| | - Robert S Foti
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California (B.M.R.) and Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.S.F.)
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10
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Immunoaffinity capture coupled with capillary electrophoresis - mass spectrometry to study therapeutic protein stability in vivo. Anal Biochem 2017; 539:118-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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11
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Kang L, Camacho RC, Li W, D’Aquino K, You S, Chuo V, Weng N, Jian W. Simultaneous Catabolite Identification and Quantitation of Large Therapeutic Protein at the Intact Level by Immunoaffinity Capture Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2017; 89:6065-6075. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Kang
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Raul C. Camacho
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Wenyu Li
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Katharine D’Aquino
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Seohee You
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Vanessa Chuo
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Naidong Weng
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Wenying Jian
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM) and ‡Department of Cardiovascular Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
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12
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Abstract
This article defines protein stability, emphasizes its importance and surveys the field of protein stabilization, with summary reference to a selection of 2009-2015 publications. One can enhance stability by, in particular, protein engineering strategies and by chemical modification (including conjugation) in solution. General protocols are set out on how to measure a given protein's (1) kinetic thermal stability, and (2) oxidative stability, and (3) how to undertake chemical modification of a protein in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciarán Ó'Fágáin
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
- National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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13
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Kullolli M, Rock DA, Ma J. Immuno-affinity Capture Followed by TMPP N-Terminus Tagging to Study Catabolism of Therapeutic Proteins. J Proteome Res 2016; 16:911-919. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Majlinda Kullolli
- Department
of Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Dan A. Rock
- Department
of Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Ji Ma
- Department
of Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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