Technical advancement and practical considerations of LC-MS/MS-based methods for host cell protein identification and quantitation to support process development

Abstract

Host cell proteins (HCPs) are process-related impurities derived from the manufacturing of recombinant biotherapeutics. Residual HCP in drug products, ranging from 1 to 100 ppm (ng HCP/mg product) or even below sub-ppm level, may affect product quality, stability, efficacy, or safety. Therefore, removal of HCPs to appropriate levels is critical for the bioprocess development of biotherapeutics. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis has become an important tool to identify, quantify, and monitor the clearance of individual HCPs. This review covers the technical advancement of sample preparation strategies, new LC-MS-based techniques, and data analysis approaches to robustly and sensitively measure HCPs while overcoming the high dynamic range analytical challenges. We also discuss our strategy for LC-MS-based HCP workflows to enable fast support of process development throughout the product life cycle, and provide insights into developing specific analytical strategies leveraging LC-MS tools to control HCPs in process and mitigate their potential risks to drug quality, stability, and patient safety.

diaPASEF Enables High-throughput Proteomic Analysis of Host Cell Proteins for Biopharmaceutical Process Development

“…In this regard, liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis has become an important tool to identify and quantify individual HCPs. 6 One substantial challenge encountered by LC-MS-based approaches is the wide (> 10 6 ) dynamic range between the sparse HCPs and the abundant therapeutic protein in the drug substance. To enable LC-MS-based HCP analysis, we and others have reported various sample preparation and LC-MS strategies.…”

“…In this regard, liquid chromatography– mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis has become an important tool to identify and quantify individual HCPs. 6…”