Metal ion interactions with mAbs: Part 1.

Fragmentation in the hinge region of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) can affect product stability, potentially causing changes in potency and efficacy. Metals ions, such as Cu(2+), can bind to the mAb and undergo hydrolysis or oxidation, which can lead to cleavage of the molecule. To better understand the mechanism of Cu(2+)-mediated mAb fragmentation, hinge region cleavage products and their rates of formation were studied as a function of pH with and without Cu(2+).

Drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) and drug load distribution by LC-ESI-MS.

This chapter describes an LC-ESI-MS method for the DAR and drug load distribution analysis that is suitable for lysine-linked ADCs. The ADC sample is desalted using a reversed-phase LC column with an acetonitrile gradient prior to online MS analysis. The MS spectrum is processed (deconvoluted) and converted to a series of zero charge state masses that corresponds to the increasing number of drugs in the ADC.