Biopharmaceutical Industry Practices for Sequence Variant Analyses of Recombinant Protein Therapeutics.

The application of advanced methodologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and mass spectrometry (MS) to the characterization of cell lines and recombinant proteins has enabled the highly sensitive detection of sequence variants (SVs). However, although these approaches can be leveraged to provide deep insight into product microheterogeneity caused by SVs, they are not used in a standardized manner across the industry. Currently, there is little clarity and consensus on the utilization, timing, and significance of SV findings. This white paper addresses the current practices, logistics, and strategies for the analysis of SVs using a benchmarking survey coordinated by the International Consortium for Innovation & Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (IQ) as well as a series of deliberations among a panel of experts assembled from across the biopharmaceutical industry. Discussion includes current industry experiences including approaches for detection and quantitation of SVs during cell-line and process development, risk assessments, and regulatory feedback. Although SVs are a potential issue for all recombinant protein therapeutics, the scope of this discussion will be limited to SVs produced in mammalian cells. Ultimately, it is our hope that the findings from the survey and deliberations of the committee are useful to decision makers in industry and positions them to respond to findings of SVs in recombinant proteins that are destined for clinical or commercial use in a strategic manner.LAY ABSTRACT: This white paper addresses the current practices, logistics, and strategies for the analysis of amino acid sequence variants using a benchmarking survey coordinated by the International Consortium for Innovation & Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (IQ) as well as a series of deliberations among a panel of experts assembled from across the biopharmaceutical industry. Discussion includes current industry experiences regarding detection and quantitation of SVs during cell-line and process development, risk assessments, and regulatory feedback.

The effect of preexisting anti-carrier immunity on subsequent responses to CRM197 or Qb-VLP conjugate vaccines.

CONTEXT: Certain antigens, such as haptens (small molecules), short peptides, and carbohydrates (e.g. bacterial polysaccharides) are non- or poorly immunogenic unless conjugated to a carrier molecule that provides a structural scaffold for antigen presentation as well as T cell help required for B-cell activation and maturation. However, the carriers themselves are immunogenic and resulting carrier-specific immune responses may impact the immunogenicity of other conjugate vaccines using the same carrier that are administered subsequently. OBJECTIVE: Herein, using two different carriers (cross-reactive material 197, CRM and Qb-VLP), we examined in mice the impact that preexisting anti-carrier antibodies (Ab) had on subsequent immune responses to conjugates with either the same or a different carrier. METHOD: For this purpose, we used two nicotine hapten conjugates (NIC7-CRM or NIC-Qb), two IgE peptide conjugates (Y-CRM or Y-Qb), and a pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate (Prevnar 13(®)). RESULTS: Prior exposure to CRM or Qb-VLP significantly reduced subsequent responses to the conjugated antigen having the homologous carrier, with the exception of Prevnar 13® where anti-polysaccharide responses were similar to those in animals without preexisting anti-carrier Ab. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the data suggest that the relative sizes of the antigen and carrier, as well as the conjugation density for a given conjugate impact the extent of anti-carrier suppression. All animals developed anti-carrier responses with repeat vaccination and the differences in Ab titer between groups with and without preexisting anti-carrier responses became less apparent; however, anti-carrier effects were more durable for Ab function.

Anti-IgE Qb-VLP Conjugate Vaccine Self-Adjuvants through Activation of TLR7.

Qb bacteriophage virus-like particles (Qb-VLP) are utilized as carriers to enhance immune responses to weakly or non-immunogenic antigens such as peptides and haptens. Qb-VLPs are formed through the self-assembly of multiple Qb capsid protein monomers, a process which traps a large amount of bacterial RNA in the core of the VLP. Bacterial RNA is known to activate the innate immune system via TLR 7 and 8 found within the endosomes of certain immune cells and has been shown to contribute to the immunogenicity of Qb-VLP vaccines. Herein, we evaluated an anti-IgE vaccine comprised of two IgE peptides (Y and P) conjugated to Qb-VLP (Qb-Y and Qb-P, respectively) for in vitro stimulation of human PBMCs and in vivo immunogenicity in mice. The in vitro secretion of IFN-α from human PBMCs exposed to Qb-Y is consistent with TLR7 activation. Immunization of mice with the IgE peptide Qb-VLP conjugates induced high titers of anti-IgE antibodies in wild-type mice, but significantly lower titers in TLR7 knockout mice, supporting the self-adjuvanting role of the RNA. Inclusion of alum and alum/CpG as adjuvants partially or completely compensated for the lack of TLR7 activation in TLR7-deficient mice. Our study demonstrates the key role that TLR7 plays in the immunogenicity of the IgE peptide Qb-VLP conjugate vaccine.

Use of toll-like receptor assays to detect and identify microbial contaminants in biological products.

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-expressing cells, for the first time, detected and identified a microbial contaminant in a product made in Escherichia coli using an old manufacturing process. It was suspected of having a microbial contaminant(s) because, although it tested negative by standard pyrogen assays, it was associated with adverse events in early clinical trials. The assay readout is the induction of NF-kappaB and/or cytokines in response to TLR activation. Four coded samples, labeled A to D, including a sample prepared by the older manufacturing process, were submitted. The cell lines were activated only by samples B and D. Sample D stimulated only Mono-Mac 6 and HEK-human TLR4 (hTLR4) cells and was later identified as lipopolysaccharide. Except for TLR3 cells, sample B stimulated cells bearing the different TLRs (TLRs 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9) and nontransfected HEK293 cells. These data suggested that flagellin was the microbial contaminant, since TLR5, the receptor for flagellin, is known to be expressed constitutively on HEK293 cells. Moreover, purified flagellin from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium behaved like sample B, stimulating HEK293 and HEK-hTLR5 cells but not HEK-hTLR3 cells, and this stimulation by flagellin and sample B was blocked by an anti-hTLR5 neutralizing antibody. Western blots showed bands positive for flagellin and sample B with the molecular sizes expected for the flagellins from S. Typhimurium and E. coli, respectively. Mass spectrometry data were consistent with the presence of flagellin in the manufacturer's sample B. Taken together, these data indicate that the microbial contaminant in sample B was flagellin and may have been associated with adverse events when the recombinant product was administered.

Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor, protects against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)/neu-induced breast cancer.

Cyclooxygenase 2 (HER-2) (Cox-2), an inducible form of Cox, is overexpressed in HER-2/neu-positive human breast cancers. The aim of this study was to determine whether celecoxib, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor, protected against HER-2/neu-induced experimental breast cancer. Cox-2 protein was detected in breast carcinomas from mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)/neu mice. Treatment with celecoxib (500 ppm) significantly reduced the incidence of mammary tumors in MMTV/neu mice (P = 0.003) and caused about a 50% reduction in mammary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. Because mammary glands from MMTV/neu mice expressed all four PGE2 receptor subtypes, we speculate that signaling through PGE2 receptors is important for mammary tumorigenesis. These results strengthen the rationale for developing clinical trials to determine whether selective Cox-2 inhibitors possess anticancer properties in humans at risk for breast cancer.