Biomarker Assay Validation by Mass Spectrometry.

Decades of discussion and publication have gone into the guidance from the scientific community and the regulatory agencies on the use and validation of pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic assays by chromatographic and ligand binding assays for the measurement of drugs and metabolites. These assay validations are well described in the FDA Guidance on Bioanalytical Methods Validation (BMV, 2018). While the BMV included biomarker assay validation, the focus was on understanding the challenges posed in validating biomarker assays and the importance of having reliable biomarker assays when used for regulatory submissions, rather than definition of the appropriate experiments to be performed.

Evaluating a Multiscale Mechanistic Model of the Immune System to Predict Human Immunogenicity for a Biotherapeutic in Phase 1.

A mechanistic model of the immune response was evaluated for its ability to predict anti-drug antibody (ADA) and their impact on pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) for a biotherapeutic in a phase 1 clinical trial. Observed ADA incidence ranged from 33 to 67% after single doses and 27-50% after multiple doses. The model captured the single dose incidence well; however, there was overprediction after multiple dosing.

Report on the AAPS Immunogenicity Guidance Forum.

In September 2018, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) conducted an Annual Guidance Forum on the considerations related to immunogenicity testing for therapeutic protein products. In addition to a broad representation by the pharmaceutical industry, the event included strong representation by leading scientists from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency and industry perspectives and updates to the guidance were presented.

Bead-extraction and heat-dissociation (BEHD): A novel way to overcome drug and matrix interference in immunogenicity testing.

Biological therapeutics are foreign antigens and can potentially induce immune response resulting in the formation of anti-drug antibodies (ADA), which in turn may lead to a wide range of side effects. Neutralizing Ab (NAb) is a subset of ADA that can bind to the pharmacological activity regions of therapeutic to inhibit or complete neutralize its clinical efficacy. A cell-based functional NAb assay is preferred to characterize its neutralization activity.

Development and validation of a functional cell-based neutralizing antibody assay for ipilimumab.

Ipilimumab is the first US FDA-approved immune checkpoint-blocking antibody drug to harness the patient's own immune cells. One of the postmarketing requirements is to develop a cell-based neutralizing antibody assay. Here, we share some of the most challenging aspects encountered during the assay development: new cell line construction; an unexpected inhibition of T-cell activation by low concentrations of ipilimumab; and two issues caused by sample pretreatment with acid dissociation to overcome drug interference: instability of neutralizing antibody positive control at low pH, and incompatibility of commonly used acid dissociation buffers in the cell assay.

Surface plasmon resonance as a tool for ligand-binding assay reagent characterization in bioanalysis of biotherapeutics.

Ligand-binding assay (LBA) performance depends on quality reagents. Strategic reagent screening and characterization is critical to LBA development, optimization and validation. Application of advanced technologies expedites the reagent screening and assay development process.

2017 White Paper on recent issues in bioanalysis: a global perspective on immunogenicity guidelines & biomarker assay performance (Part 3 - LBA: immunogenicity, biomarkers and PK assays).

The 2017 11th Workshop on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis took place in Los Angeles/Universal City, California, on 3-7 April 2017 with participation of close to 750 professionals from pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, contract research organizations and regulatory agencies worldwide. WRIB was once again a 5-day, week-long event - a full immersion week of bioanalysis, biomarkers and immunogenicity. As usual, it was specifically designed to facilitate sharing, reviewing, discussing and agreeing on approaches to address the most current issues of interest including both small- and large-molecule analysis involving LC-MS, hybrid ligand-binding assay (LBA)/LC-MS and LBA approaches.

A systematic study of the effect of low pH acid treatment on anti-drug antibodies specific for a domain antibody therapeutic: Impact on drug tolerance, assay sensitivity and post-validation method assessment of ADA in clinical serum samples.

We developed a homogeneous bridging anti-drug antibody (ADA) assay on an electro chemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) platform to support the immunogenicity evaluation of a dimeric domain antibody (dAb) therapeutic in clinical studies. During method development we evaluated the impact of different types of acid at various pH levels on polyclonal and monoclonal ADA controls of differing affinities and on/off rates. The data shows for the first time that acids of different pH can have a differential effect on ADA of various affinities and this in turn impacts assay sensitivity and drug tolerance as defined by these surrogate controls.

A multiplexed immunocapture liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay for the simultaneous measurement of myostatin and GDF-11 in rat serum using an automated sample preparation platform.

Myostatin, also known as growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), is a protein acting as a negative regulator in skeletal muscle growth. Inhibition of myostatin by therapeutic agents provides opportunities for current unmet medical needs. In order to better understand drug engagement to aid the drug development, we have developed a hybrid LC-MS/MS method which can differentially measure myostatin and another protein from the same GDF family, GDF-11.

Characterization of labeled reagents in ligand-binding assays by a surface plasmon resonance biosensor.

Aim: Ligand-binding assay (LBA) reagent labeling may change the binding characteristics of the reagent to its target and degrade its performance in LBAs.

Results: A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor was used to evaluate the impact of the biotin labeling process on reagent-binding kinetics and affinity for a specific target. The SPR results demonstrate that the biotin molar challenge ratio affects both association and dissociation rates for the labeled reagent binding to its target.

Accelerating Regulated Bioanalysis for Biotherapeutics: Case Examples Using a Microfluidic Ligand Binding Assay Platform.

The Gyrolab™ xP is a microfluidic platform for conducting ligand binding assays (LBAs) and is recognized for its utility in discovery bioanalysis. However, few reports have focused on the technology for regulated bioanalysis. This technology has the advantage of low reagent consumption, low sample volume, and automated ligand binding methods.

Antibody-drug conjugate bioanalysis using LB-LC-MS/MS hybrid assays: strategies, methodology and correlation to ligand-binding assays.

Background: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are complex drug constructs with multiple species in the heterogeneous mixture that contribute to their efficacy and toxicity. The bioanalysis of ADCs involves multiple assays and analytical platforms.

Methods: A series of ligand binding and LC-MS/MS (LB-LC-MS/MS) hybrid assays, through different combinations of anti-idiotype (anti-Id), anti-payload, or generic capture reagents, and cathepsin-B or trypsin enzyme digestion, were developed and evaluated for the analysis of conjugated-payload as well as for species traditionally measured by ligand-binding assays, total-antibody and conjugated-antibody.

Validation of an integrated series of ligand-binding assays for the quantitative determination of antibody-drug conjugates in biological matrices.

Background: The bioanalytical strategy for antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) includes multiple integrated measurements of pharmacologically relevant ADC.

Methods & Results: Three ligand-binding assays were validated for the measurement of total antibody, active ADC and total ADC. Accuracy and precision demonstrate %bias from -8 to 14%, %CV from 3 to 11% and total error from 3 to 21%, with >98% samples meeting incurred sample reanalysis criteria.

Current Challenges and Potential Opportunities for the Pharmaceutical Sciences to Make Global Impact: An FIP Perspective.

The chairs of each of the 8 Special Interest Groups of the Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the International Pharmaceutical Federation have compiled opinions with regard to major challenges for the pharmaceutical sciences over the next 5-10 years. Areas covered are drug design and discovery, natural products, formulation design and pharmaceutical technology, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and systems pharmacology, translational and personalized medicine, biotechnology, analytical sciences and quality control, and regulatory science.

Development and characterization of antibody reagents to assess anti-PEG IgG antibodies in clinical samples.

Background: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymer that can be conjugated with therapeutic proteins. Monitoring anti-PEG antibodies in human subjects may be required as part of immunogenicity assessment. The lack of well-characterized anti-PEG reagents have limited our understanding of anti-PEG humoral response.

An integrated multiplatform bioanalytical strategy for antibody-drug conjugates: a novel case study.

Background: The bioanalytical strategy for antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) includes numerous measurements integrally designed to provide comprehensive characterization of PK, PD and immunogenicity. This manuscript describes the utilization of reagents specifically tailored to an ADC with a microtubule polymerization inhibitor payload and cathepsin B cleavable linker.

Methods: The PK strategy includes the evaluation of physiological levels of total antibody, active ADC, total ADC, antibody-conjugated payload and unconjugated payload.

Development of a Generic Anti-PEG Antibody Assay Using BioScale's Acoustic Membrane MicroParticle Technology.

Immunogenicity testing for PEGylated biotherapeutics should include methods to detect both anti-protein and anti-PEG antibodies (anti-PEG). Although some methods have been published for the detection of anti-PEG antibodies, the information is incomplete and, in some cases, reagents used (such as Tween-20) are known to interfere with detection. This rapid communication describes the use of BioScale's Acoustic Membrane MicroParticle (AMMP®) technology using the ViBE® Workstation to measure anti-PEG antibodies in human serum samples.

Anti-PEG antibody bioanalysis: a clinical case study with PEG-IFN-λ-1a and PEG-IFN-α2a in naive patients.

Background: Extensive use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in consumer products necessitates the assessment of anti-PEG antibodies (APAb).

Methods: In clinical trials comparing PEG-IFN-λ to PEG-IFN-α, conventional bridge and direct assays were assessed.

Results & Conclusion: The bridge assay detected IgM and IgG APAb reactive with common PEG sizes and derivatives at sufficient sensitivity, 15-500 ng/ml.

Development and Fit-for-Purpose Validation of a Soluble Human Programmed Death-1 Protein Assay.

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) protein is a co-inhibitory receptor which negatively regulates immune cell activation and permits tumors to evade normal immune defense. Anti-PD-1 antibodies have been shown to restore immune cell activation and effector function-an exciting breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy. Recent reports have documented a soluble form of PD-1 (sPD-1) in the circulation of normal and disease state individuals.

Workshop Report: AAPS Workshop on Method Development, Validation, and Troubleshooting of Ligand-Binding Assays in the Regulated Environment.

A novel format was introduced at the recent AAPS NBC Workshop on Method Development, Validation and Troubleshooting in San Diego on 18th May 2014. The workshop format was initiated by Binodh De Silva; Marie Rock and Sherri Dudal joined the initiative to develop and chair the workshop. Questions were solicited by a variety of avenues, including a Linked-In Discussion Group.