1
|
Riccetti L, Sperduti S, Lazzaretti C, Klett D, De Pascali F, Paradiso E, Limoncella S, Potì F, Tagliavini S, Trenti T, Galano E, Palmese A, Satwekar A, Daolio J, Nicoli A, Villani MT, Aguzzoli L, Reiter E, Simoni M, Casarini L. Glycosylation Pattern and in vitro Bioactivity of Reference Follitropin alfa and Biosimilars. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:503. [PMID: 31396162 PMCID: PMC6667556 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (follitropin alfa) and biosimilar preparations are available for clinical use. They have specific FSH activity and a unique glycosylation profile dependent on source cells. The aim of the study is to compare the originator (reference) follitropin alfa (Gonal-f®)- with biosimilar preparations (Bemfola® and Ovaleap®)-induced cellular responses in vitro. Gonadotropin N-glycosylation profiles were analyzed by ELISA lectin assay, revealing preparation specific-patterns of glycan species (Kruskal-Wallis test; p < 0.05, n = 6) and by glycotope mapping. Increasing concentrations of Gonal-f® or biosimilar (1 × 10-3-1 × 103 ng/ml) were used for treating human primary granulosa lutein cells (hGLC) and FSH receptor (FSHR)-transfected HEK293 cells in vitro. Intracellular cAMP production, Ca2+ increase and β-arrestin 2 recruitment were evaluated by BRET, CREB, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation by Western blotting. 12-h gene expression, and 8- and 24-h progesterone and estradiol synthesis were measured by real-time PCR and immunoassay, respectively. We found preparation-specific glycosylation patterns by lectin assay (Kruskal-Wallis test; p < 0.001; n = 6), and similar cAMP production and β-arrestin 2 recruitment in FSHR-transfected HEK293 cells (cAMP EC50 range = 12 ± 0.9-24 ± 1.7 ng/ml; β-arrestin 2 EC50 range = 140 ± 14.1-313 ± 18.7 ng/ml; Kruskal-Wallis test; p ≥ 0.05; n = 4). Kinetics analysis revealed that intracellular Ca2+ increased upon cell treatment by 4 μg/ml Gonal-f®, while equal concentrations of biosimilars failed to induced a response (Kruskal-Wallis test; p < 0.05; n = 3). All preparations induced both 8 and 24 h-progesterone and estradiol synthesis in hGLC, while no different EC50s were demonstrated (Kruskal-Wallis test; p > 0.05; n = 5). Apart from preparation-specific intracellular Ca2+ increases achieved at supra-physiological hormone doses, all compounds induced similar intracellular responses and steroidogenesis, reflecting similar bioactivity, and overall structural homogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Riccetti
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Samantha Sperduti
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Clara Lazzaretti
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- International PhD School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Danièle Klett
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Elia Paradiso
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- International PhD School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Limoncella
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Potì
- Unit of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Simonetta Tagliavini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, Azienda USL, NOCSAE, Modena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Trenti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, Azienda USL, NOCSAE, Modena, Italy
| | - Eugenio Galano
- Analytical Development Biotech Products, Merck Serono S.p.A. (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Palmese
- Analytical Development Biotech Products, Merck Serono S.p.A. (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Rome, Italy
| | - Abhijeet Satwekar
- Analytical Development Biotech Products, Merck Serono S.p.A. (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica Daolio
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility Center, ASMN, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Nicoli
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility Center, ASMN, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Villani
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility Center, ASMN, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Aguzzoli
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility Center, ASMN, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Eric Reiter
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- *Correspondence: Livio Casarini
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Strowitzki T, Kuczynski W, Mueller A, Bias P. Randomized, active-controlled, comparative phase 3 efficacy and safety equivalence trial of Ovaleap® (recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone) in infertile women using assisted reproduction technology (ART). Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2016; 14:1. [PMID: 26733057 PMCID: PMC4702416 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacokinetic studies with XM17 (Ovaleap®), a recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH, follitropin alfa), have demonstrated good safety and tolerability in healthy women whose endogenous FSH levels were down-regulated with a long agonist protocol. In these studies, Ovaleap® pharmacokinetics were dose-proportional and bioequivalent to the reference follitropin alfa product (Gonal-f®). The objective of the present study is to determine whether Ovaleap® is equivalent to Gonal-f® with respect to the number of oocytes retrieved in infertile but ovulatory women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy. METHODS This multinational, multicenter, randomized (1:1), active-controlled, assessor-blind, comparative study included infertile normally gonadotrophic women 18 to 37 years old with a body mass index of 18 to 29 kg/m(2) and regular menstrual cycles of 21 to 35 days undergoing ART therapy. During a 5-day fixed-dose phase, women received 150 IU/day of Ovaleap® (n = 153) or Gonal-f® (n = 146), followed by an up to 15-day dose-adaptation phase during which doses could be adjusted every 3 to 5 days, up to a maximum of 450 IU/day. Ovaleap® was to be deemed equivalent to Gonal-f® if the two-sided 0.95 confidence interval (CI) for the difference in the number of oocytes retrieved fell within the equivalence range of ±3 oocytes. RESULTS Similar numbers of oocytes were retrieved in the 2 treatment groups. The mean ± SD number of oocytes retrieved was 12.2 ± 6.7 in the Ovaleap® group and 12.1 ± 6.7 in the Gonal-f® group (intent-to-treat [ITT] population). Regression analysis estimated a mean difference of 0.03 oocytes between the treatment groups (95 % CI: -0.76-0.82), which was well within the prespecified equivalence range of ±3 oocytes. Ovaleap® and Gonal-f® showed favorable and comparable safety profiles, with no unexpected safety findings. CONCLUSIONS Ovaleap® has shown the same efficacy and safety as Gonal-f® for stimulation of follicular development in infertile women (up to 37 years of age) who are undergoing ART therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT: 2009-017674-20. Current controlled trials: ISRCTN74772901 . Date of trial registration: 19 March 2010.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Strowitzki
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Waldemar Kuczynski
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Cryobank, 15879, Bialystok, Poland.
- Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, Medical University, 15089, Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Arnd Mueller
- Merckle GmbH, A Member of The Teva Group, 89079, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Peter Bias
- Merckle GmbH, A Member of The Teva Group, 89079, Ulm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|