Validation of the monocyte activation test with three therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

Authors:
Ruth Daniels, Wim Van der Elst, Nele Dieltjens, Tinne Appels, Chi K So, Thomas Nys, Liesbeth Voeten, Philip Breugelmans, Marijke W A Molenaar-de Backer, Eelo Gitz, Stephen Poole , Mehul Patel
In:
Source: ALTEX
Publication Date: (2022)
Issue: 39(4): 621–635
Cells used in publication:
PBMC, human
Species: human
Tissue Origin: blood
Experiment


Abstract

Pharmaceutical products intended for parenteral use must be free from pyrogenic (fever-inducing) contamination. Pyrogens comprise endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria and non-endotoxin pyrogens from Gram-positive bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The longstanding compendial test for pyrogens is the rabbit pyrogen test, but in 2010 the monocyte acti-vation test (MAT) for pyrogenic and pro-inflammatory contaminants was introduced into the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) as a non-animal replacement for the rabbit pyrogen test. The present study describes the first product-specific Good Manufacturing Practice validation of Ph. Eur. MAT, Quantitative Test, Method A for the testing of three therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The study used the MAT version with cryo-preserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells and interleukin-6 as the readout. Much of the data presented here for one of the antibodies was included in a successful product license application to the European Medicines Agency.