Basic regulatory science behind drug substance and drug product specifications of monoclonal antibodies and other protein therapeutics

In this review,we focus on providing basics and examples for each component of the protein therapeutic specifications to interested pharmacists and biopharmaceutical scientists with a goal to strengthen understanding in regulatory science and compliance.Pharmaceutical specifications comprise a list of important quality attributes for testing,references to use for test procedures,and appropriate acceptance criteria for the tests,and they are set up to ensure that when a drug product is administered to a patient,its intended therapeutic benefits and safety can be rendered appropriately.Conformance of drug substance or drug product to the specifications is achieved by testing an article according to the listed tests and analytical methods and obtaining test results that meet the acceptance criteria.Quality attributes are chosen to be tested based on their quality risk,and consideration should be given to the merit of the analytical methods which are associated with the acceptance criteria of the specifications.Acceptance criteria are set forth primarily based on efficacy and safety profiles,with an increasing attention noted for patient-centric specifications.Discussed in this work are related guidelines that support the biopharmaceutical specification setting,how to set the acceptance criteria,and examples of the quality attributes and the analytical methods from 60 articles and 23 pharmacopeial monographs.Outlooks are also explored on process analytical technologies and other orthogonal tools which are on-trend in biopharmaceutical characterization and quality control.

Development of donor specific antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination:What do we know so far?

Vaccination against Coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19)was pivotal to limit spread,morbidity and mortality.Our aim is to find out whether vaccines against COVID-19 lead to an immunological response stimulating the production of de novo donor specific antibodies(DSAs)or increase in mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)of pre-existing DSAs in kidney transplant recipients(KTRs).This study involved a detailed literature search through December 2nd,2023 using PubMed as the primary database.The search strategy incorporated a combination of relevant Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords:"COVID-19","SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination","Kidney,Renal Transplant",and"Donor specific antibodies".The results from related studies were collated and analyzed.A total of 6 studies were identified,encompassing 460 KTRs vaccinated against COVID-19.Immunological responses were detected in 8 KTRs of which 5 had increased MFIs,1 had de novo DSA,and 2 were categorized as either having de novo DSA or increased MFI.There were 48 KTRs with pre-existing DSAs prior to vaccination,but one study(Massa et al)did not report whether pre-existing DSAs were associated with post vaccination outcomes.Of the remaining 5 studies,35 KTRs with pre-existing DSAs were identified of which 7 KTRs(20%)developed de novo DSAs or increased MFIs.Overall,no immunological response was detected in 452(98.3%)KTRs.Our study affirms prior reports that COVID-19 vaccination is safe for KTRs,especially if there are no pre-existing DSAs.However,if KTRs have pre-existing DSAs,then an increased immunological risk may be present.These findings need to be taken cautiously as they are based on a limited number of patients so further studies are still needed for confirmation.

Two Cases of Autoimmune Encephalitis with Multiple Anti-neuronal Antibodies

Autoimmune encephalitis(AE)can arise from various etiologies and present with complex clinical manifestations,especially in cases involving multiple anti-neuronal antibodies.This report presents two cases of AE with multiple anti-neuronal antibodies admitted to Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital on October 9,2020,and March 12,2024.Case 1 is a 15-year-old boy with positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)and anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5(mGluR5)antibodies in his serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF).Case 2 is a 14-year-old boy with positive NMDAR and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein(MOG)antibodies in his CSF.Patients with AE who have multiple anti-neuronal antibodies present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges,warranting close clinical attention.

Application of Current Hapten in the Production of Broad Specificity Antibodies Against Organophosphorus Pesticides

Diethylphosphono acetic acid （DPA） was used as a current hapten to generate broad specificity polycolonal antibodies against a group of organophosphorus pesticides. Six New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with immunogens synthesized by the active ester method （AEM） or 1-ethyl-3-（3-dimethylaminopropyl）-carbodimide method （EDC）. The titers of antisera reached 25 600 by AEM and 6 400 by EDC, respectively. Polyclonal antibodies raised against DPA were screened and selected for the competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （CI-ELISA）. A CI-ELISA for DPA was developed with a detection limit of 3.536 ng mL^-1and an I50 value of 0.182 μg mL^-1. The assay specificity was evaluated by obtaining competitive curves for several structurally related compounds as competitors. The antiserum showed high affinities to chlorpyrifos, diazinon, omethoate, parathion-ethyl and profenofos with I50 of 0.12, 0.15, 0.21, 0.88, 0.97 and 2.5 μg mL^-1, respectively. The results indicate that the assay could be a screening tool for quantitation and semiquantitation determination of the above former five organophosphorus pesticides.

Characteristics of Viral Shedding in Respiratory Samples and Specific Antibodies Production in 564 COVID-19 Patients

Positive nucleic acid(NA)results have been found in recovered and discharged COVID-19 patients,but the proportion is unclear.This study was designed to analyze the recurrent positive rate of NA results after consecutively negative results,and the relationship between the specific antibody production and positive NA rate.According to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines,data of inpatients in Sino-French New City Branch of Tongji Hospital between Jan.28 and Mar.6,2020 were collected.A total of 564 COVID-19 patients over 14 years old who received the examinations of NA and antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were included.Days of viral shedding and specific antibodies were recorded and assessed.Among NA tests in respiratory samples(throat swabs,nasopharyngeal swabs,sputum and flushing fluid in alveoli),the patients with all-negative NA results accounted for 17.20%,those with single-positive results for 46.63%,and those with multiple-positive results for 36.17%respectively.Besides,the recurrent positive NA results after consecutively negative results appeared in 66 patients(11.70%).For multiple-positive patients,median viral shedding duration was 20 days(range:1 to 57 days).Of the 205 patients who received 2 or more antibody tests,141(68.78%)had decreased IgG and IgM concentrations.IgM decreased to normal range in 24 patients,with a median of 44 days from symptom onset.Viral shedding duration was not significantly correlated with gender,age,disease severity,changes in pulmonary imaging,and antibody concentration.It is concluded that antibody level and antibody change had no significant correlation with the positive rate of NA tests and the conversion rate after continuous negative NA tests.In order to reduce the recurrent positive proportion after discharge,3 or more consecutive negative NA test results with test interval more than 24 h every time are suggested for the discharge or release from quarantine.

Isolation and Characterization of Recombinant Variable Domain of Heavy Chain Anti-idiotypic Antibodies Specific to Aflatoxin B_1

Some unique subclasses of Camelidae antibodies are devoid of the light chain, and the antigen binding site is comprised exclusively of the variable domain of the heavy chain （VHH）. The recombinant VHHs have a high potential as alternative reagents for the next generation of immunoassay. In particular, they might be very useful for molecular mimicry. The present study demonstrated an alpaca immunized with the F（ab＇）z fragment of anti-aflatoxin B1 mAb and developed an important anti-idiotypic （anti-ld） responses. Antigen-specific elution method was used for panning private anti-ld VHHs from the constructed alpaca VHH library. The selected VHHs were expressed, renatured, purified, and then identified by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Our findings indicated that the VHH would be an alternative tool for haptens mimicry studies.

THE SPECIFIC PHOTODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES CONJUGATED WITH HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE ON GASTRIC CANCER IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

Murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) BB4.3, raised against the human gastric cancer cell line BGC823, was puriffied with Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B affinity chromatography and identified as IgG2a. It was then conjugated with a hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) by using carbodiimide. The qualitative analysis of this conjugate showed that the amount of free HPD was negligible and there were no IgG aggregates among the conjugates. The conjugate retained both the antibody and photochemical activity of HPD.In vitro, the phototoxic effect of this HPD-BB4.3 conjugate on target cells was about 15 times higher than that of free HPD. The quality of selective photocytotoxicity was proven by the greater cytotoxi-city this conjugate showed than that of corresponding normal mouse IgG (NIgG) conjugated with HPD. It showed less cytotoxicity to colon cancer cell line B-80 (negative reaction to MoAb BB4.3) than to BGC825. Moreover, its cytotoxicity to BGC823 cells could be blocked specifically by excess BB4.3 antibody, but not by another MoAb 3G9, which combines with BGC823 at different binding sites from MoAb BB4.3.Nude mice inoculated with 2 × 10- BGC823 cells were given HPD-BB4.3, HPD, HPD-NIgG, HPD plus BB4.3 and PBS, respectively then exposed to light. Four out of six animals treated with the HPD-BB4.3 conjugate remained tumor-free for a long period. Although two developed tumors, there was a significant difference between the HPD-BB4.3-treated group and all the control groups in tumor induction time, tumor growth rate, and survival time (p<0.001). The HPD-BB4.3 conjugate inhibited the growth of established tumors by more than 40% in comparison with control groups (p<0.05).

Impact of donor-specific antibodies on the outcomes of kidney graft:Pathophysiology, clinical, therapy

Allo-antibodies, particularly when donor specific, are one of the most important factors that cause both early and late graft dysfunction. The authors review the current state of the art concerning this important issue in renal transplantation. Many antibodies have been recognized as mediators of renal injury. In particular donorspecific-Human Leukocyte Antigens antibodies appear to play a major role. New techniques, such as solid phase techniques and Luminex, have revealed these antibodies from patient sera. Other new techniques have uncovered alloantibodies and signs of complement activation in renal biopsy specimens. It has been acknowledged that the old concept of chronic renal injury caused by calcineurine inhibitors toxicity should be replaced in many cases by alloantibodies acting against the graft. In addition, the number of patients on waiting lists with preformed anti-human leukocyte antigens(HLA) antibodies is increasing, primarily from patients with a history of renal transplant failure already been sensitized. We should distinguish early and late acute antibody-mediated rejection from chronic antibody-mediated rejection. The latter often manifets late during the course of the posttransplant period and may be difficult to recognize if specific techniques are not applied. Different therapeutic strategies are used to control antibody-induced damage.These strategies may be applied prior to transplantation or, in the case of acute antibody-mediated rejection, after transplantation. Many new drugs are appearing at the horizon; however, these drugs are far from the clinic because they are in phase Ⅰ-Ⅱ of clinical trials. Thus the pipeline for the near future appears almost empty.

Impact of preformed donor-specific antibodies against HLA class Ⅰ on kidney graft outcomes:Comparative analysis of exclusively anti-Cw vs anti-A and/or-B antibodies

AIM To analyze the clinical impact of preformed antiH LA-Cw vs antiH LA-A and/or-B donor-specific antibodies(DSA) in kidney transplantation.METHODS Retrospective study, comparing 12 patients transplanted with DSA exclusively antiH LA-Cw with 23 patients with preformed DSA antiH LA-A and/or B.RESULTS One year after transplantation there were no differencesin terms of acute rejection between the two groups(3 and 6 cases, respectively in the DSA-Cw and the DSA-A-B groups; P = 1). At one year, eG FR was not significantly different between groups(median 59 mL /min in DSA-Cw group, compared to median 51 mL /min in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.192). Moreover, kidney graft survival was similar between groups at 5-years(100% in DSA-Cw group vs 91% in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.528). The sole independent predictor of antibody mediated rejection(AMR) incidence was DSA strength(HR = 1.07 per 1000 increase in MFI, P = 0.034). AMR was associated with shortened graft survival at 5-years, with 75% and 100% grafts surviving in patients with or without AMR, respectively(Log-rank P = 0.005).CONCLUSION Our data indicate that DSA-Cw are associated with an identical risk of AMR and impact on graft function in comparison with "classical" class I DSA.

STUDY ON DETERMINATION AND APPLICATION OF THE SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES TO CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

using enzymellnked lmmunosorheut assay (ELlsA), we had determined the speclrlc antibodies of IgM and lgA to CMV In 14 patients with BAT, 36 marrow donors and 682 blood donorsfrom 1991 to 1996. The antibodies detected were negative in 14 patients, 16. 16% POsitive in marrowdonors and 34. 31 % in blood donors respectively. These resultS suggested that there was a higher active or recent CMV Inrectlou in blood donors in XI'an area. In order to prevent transfusion-acquiredCMV infectlony it is nessessary ror us to screen out negative CMV antibodies donors in BAT, whichhas great value for clinical application.

Construction of Multi-Specific Antibody by Genetic Engineering and Its Progress in Tumor Therapy

Targeted treatment of cancer with monoclonal antibodies increases the benefit for patients. In order to improve the anti-tumor activity of monoclonal antibodies, multi-specific antibodies have entered the research field. The emergence of various techniques to produce multi-specific recombinant antibody molecules has led to the selection of target combinations in various forms. To date, only a few multi-specific constructs have entered phase III clinical trials, in contrast to classical monoclonal antibodies. Some of the format options are outlined from a technical point of view. We focus on the achievements and prospects of the underlying technologies for generating biand multispecific antibodies.

Preparation and Identification of Anti-rabies Virus Monoclonal Antibodies

To provide a foundation for the development of rapid and specific methods for the diagnosis of rabies virus infection, anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies were prepared and rabies virus nucleoprotein and human rabies virus vaccine strain (PV strain) were used as immunogens to immunize 6-8 week old female BALB/c mice. Spleen cells and SP2/0 myeloma cells were fused according to conventional methods: the monoclonal cell strains obtained were selected using the indirect immunofluorescence test; this was followed by preparation of monoclonal antibody ascitic fluid; and finally, systematic identification of subclass, specificity and sensitivity was carried out. Two high potency and specific monoclonal antibodies against rabies virus were obtained and named 3B12 and 4A12, with ascitic fluid titers of 1:8000 and 1:10000, respectively. Both belonged to the IgG2a subclass. These strains secrete potent, stable and specific anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies, which makes them well suited for the development of rabies diagnosis reagents.

Detection of anti-Helicobacter pyloriantibodies in serum and duodenal fluid in peptic gastroduodenal disease

AIM:To study the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori(H pylori) infection through the determination of serum levels of anti- H pylori IgG and IgA antibodies,and the levels of anti-H pylori IgA antibodies in duodenal fluid. METHODS:Data were collected from 93 patients submitted to upper digestive endoscopy due to dyspeptic symptoms. The patients were either negative(group A)or positive (group B)to H pylori by means of both histological detection and urease tests.Before endoscopy,peripheral blood was collected for the investigation of anti-H pylori IgG and IgA antibodies.To perform the urease test,biopsies were obtained from the gastric antrum.For the histological evaluation,biopsies were collected from the gastric antrum (greater and lesser curvatures)and the gastric body. Following this,duodenal fluid was collected from the first and second portions of the duodenum.For the serological assaying of anti-Hpylori IgG and IgA,and anti-Hpylori IgA in duodenal fluids,the ELISA method was utilized. RESULTS:The concentration of serum IgG showed sensitivity of 64.0%,specificity of 83.7%,positive predictive value of 82.0%,negative predictive value of 66.6% and accuracy of 73.1% for the diagnosis of H pylori infection.For the same purpose,serum IgA showed sensitivity of 72.0%, specificity of 65.9%,positive predictive value of 72.0%, negative predictive value of 67.4% and accuracy of 69.8%. If the serological tests were considered together,i.e.when both were positive or negative,the accuracy was 80.0%, sensitivity was 86.6%,specificity was 74.2%,positive predictive value was 74.2% and negative predictive value was 86.6%.When values obtained in the test for detecting IgA in the duodenal fluid were analyzed,no significant difference(P=0.43)was observed between the values obtained from patients with or without H pylori infection. CONCLUSION:The results of serum IgG and IgA tests for H pylori detection when used simultaneously,are more efficient in accuracy,sensitivity and negative predictive value, than those when used alone.The concentration of IgA antibodies in duodenal fluid is not useful in identifying patients with or without H pylori.

Development and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibody Specifically Against TSP50

Testis-specific protease 50（TSP50） has been identified as a testis-specific protein that is expressed abnormally in most human breast cancer samples,which makes it an attractive molecular marker and a potential target for diagnosis and therapy.In the present study,we prepared a panel of monoclonal antibodies（mAbs） with high specificity and sensitivity against TSP50 by hybridoma method and characterized them by ELISA,Western blot,immunofluroescence and immunohistochemical analyses.The results show that all of the 9 different clones can specifically bind to TSP50.The mAbs against TSP50 we generated could be good tools for both basic and clinical studies.

Study and Application of Monoclonal Antibodies against Virus of Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome

This paper summarizes the study and application of monoclonal antibodies (McAbs)against haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) virus in our department over the past sever-al years. The following six points are discussed: (1) establishment and characterization of thehybridoma cell lines secreting McAbs against HFRS virus and hemagglutinin of the virus: (2) theantigenic analysis of HFRS viruses in China by McAbs: (3) purification and application of theMcAbs: (4) purification and characterization of HFRS virus 50K stnactural protein by McAba-affini-ty chromatography and the McAbs possessing different characteristics: (5) detection of HFRS virusantigen in peripheral blood lymphocytes from HFRS patients by the McAb-IFAT; and (6)development of McAb-ELISA indirect sandwich methods, and detection of HFRS virus antigen andIgM, IgG and/or HI antibodies in human and animals. The results of the studies show that theMcAbs can be used for early diagnosis, epidemiological investigation, preparation of vaccine andimmunotherapy of HFRS.

SPECIFIC UPTAKE OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY-CONJUGATED METHOTREXATE BY HUMAN LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIC B CELLS

Objective: To analysis the uptake of free MTX and MTX conjugated to tumor specific monoclonal antibody by target and nontarget cells. Methods: The folate antagonist methotrexate (MTX) was conjugated to two monoclonal antibodies (Mab) directed against human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Dal B01 and Dal B02, by an active ester method. Both conjugates were more cytotoxic toward the target tumor cell line D101 than to the nontarget cell line MOLT3, and Dal B02MTX conjugate was more inhibitory to D101 cells than free MTX in a 6 h pulse exposure assay. Results: Drug uptake studies revealed that D101 cells took up much more Dal B01 and Dal B02conjugated MTX than free MTX. The amounts of drug taken up by D101 cells incubated with Dal B01 and Dal B02conjugated MTX were always 3 to 5fold higher than that taken up by MOLT3 cells, although the latter took up more drug when incubated with free MTX. Furthermore, tumor cells incubated with Dal B01 or Dal B02conjugated MTX retained much larger amounts of drug for a prolonged period of time than those incubated with free MTX. Conclusion: The enhanced specific cytotoxicity of Dal B01 and Dal B02MTX conjugates toward target tumor cells is therefore likely due to (I) delivery of larger amounts of MTX to target cells when the drug is conjugated to Mab; (ii) longer retention of Mabconjugated MTX by target cells; and (iii) slow, prolonged release of MTX from the surfacebound or endocytosed conjugates, rendering them into a sustained release dosage form.

Preliminary Identification of Human Nonserum Oviduct Specific Proteins by Using Electrophoresis and Immunoblotting Analysis

The present paper reported the preliminary results of identification of humannonserum oviduct specific proteins. The 1D-SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and 2D-SDS-PAFE in conjunction with the immunoblotting assay were used in the present study. The results showed that the nonserum oviduct specific proteins with MW130, 100 and 80 kD existed in human oviduct fluid or oviductal extract. In addition, the antibody against pig oviduct antigens could more strongly cross-react with human oviduct antigens, mainly recognizing 130,116 and 100 kD proteins from human oviduct. It is suggested that in human oviduct there are some specific antigens possessing some similar epitopes to those in pig oviducts. This result seems to be consistent with predominant cross reactivity existing in antigens of porcine and human zona pellucida.

Preparation and Identification of Monoclonal Antibodies against Chicken Immunoglobulin G

[ Objective] To prepare monoclonal antibodies against chicken immunoglobulin G （IgG） and improve the diagnostic level of specific antibodies in chickens. [ Method] Chicken IgG was isolated by saturated ammonium sulfate and purified by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. Then the BALB/c mice were immunized by the chicken IgG, and the spleen cells were fused with mouse myeloma cells SP2/0. Finally, the positive hybridoma cells were screened and detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. [ Result] Four hybridoma cell strains secre- ting monoclonal antibodies against chicken IgG were obtained and named as C44, C45, C67 and C68, and their ascites titers in indirect ELISA were 1 ： 640 000, 1 ： 320 000, 1 ： 640 000 and 1 ： 80 000, respectively. The monoclonal antibodies secreted by C44 and C45 could recognize light chains of chicken IgG and those secreted by C,67 and C68 could recognize heavy chains of chicken IgG. They all could not recognize IgG from duck, rabbit and swine. Additionally, the Ig type identification results showed that they all belonged to IgGl. [ Conclusion] Four cell strains of obtained hybridoma can stably produce the monoclonal antibodies against chicken IgG.

Detection of cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) by a phospho-specific PKD antibody in contracting rat cardiomyocytes

Protein phosphorylation plays an important role in physiological processes, such as muscle contraction. Phospho-specific antibodies have become powerful tools to study these processes. Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) is one of the proteins that make up the contractile apparatus of cardiomyocytes. Phosphorylation of cMyBP-C is essential for normal cardiac function, since dephosphorylation of this protein leads to its degradation and has been associated with cardiomyopathy. One of the upstream kinases, which phosphorylate cMyBP-C, is protein kinase D (PKD). While studying the role of PKD in cMyBP-C phosphorylation, we tried to analyze phosphorylation of PKD with a phospho-specific PKD-Ser744/748 antibody. Contrary to the expected 115 kDa, a signal was found for a 150-kDa protein. By MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, we identified this protein to be cMyBP-C. These data were confirmed by immunostaining using the p-PKD-Ser744/748 antibody, which displayed a striated pattern similar to the one observed for a regular cMyBP-C antibody. To our knowledge there are no antibodies commercially available for phosphorylated cMyBP-C. Thus, the p-PKD-Ser744/748 antibody can accelerate research into the role of cMyBP-C phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes.