Characterization of a Novel Antibody Drug Conjugate Mimic by Size-Exclusion and Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography

Empowered antibodies, such as antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), continue to be investigated as biotherapeutic drug candidates. ADCs combine the tumor specificity and targeting capability of mAbs with the cytotoxicity of potent small molecule drugs into hybrid molecules that are promising anticancer therapeutics. These molecules are comprised of three components: a monoclonal antibody, a stable linker, and a cytotoxic small molecule drug. For the cysteine-linked ADC mimic used in this study, a dansyl fluorophore (~668 Da) is covalently bonded to an IgG₁ mAb (150 kDa) via a LC-SMCC crosslinker (Figure 1). This procedure results in a mixture of drug-loaded antibody species with 0 to 8 drugs (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Cysteine-linked ADC mimic.

ADC conjugation plays a role in both drug efficacy as well as clearance and must be well understood during drug development. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) are two commonly employed techniques used to characterize the drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) under native, physiological conditions. In this application note, the ADC mimic was analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography/mass spectrometry (SEC/MS) using a TSKgel® SuperSW3000 column and by HIC using a TSKgel Butyl-NPR column. Coupling these chromatographic techniques allowed elucidation and verification of the DAR profile for this model biomolecule.

Figure 2: Heterogeneity of cysteine-conjugated ADCs.

Results and Discussion

The ADC mimic was injected onto a TSKgel SuperSW3000 SEC column coupled to a mass spectrometer in order to examine the DAR profile. Figure 3 shows the deconvoluted mass spectrum of the ADC mimic. Main peaks can be seen at m/z 143,799; 145,135; 146,474; 147,812; and 149,147. The difference in molecular weight between each main peak is 1336 Da, corresponding to the molecular weight of two dansyl fluorophore molecules. The average DAR was found to be 3.9.

Figure 3: Native SEC/MS spectrum of the ADC mimic.

The DAR profile was then confirmed by HIC using a TSKgel Butyl-NPR column and UV detection. As more drug is conjugated to the mAb vehicle, the ADC becomes more hydrophobic and is retained longer by the HIC stationary phase, allowing resolution of the different drug loaded species. Figure 4 shows the DAR profile of the ADC mimic. The chromatogram shows well resolved peaks ranging from a DAR of 0 to 8.

Figure 4: HIC/UV analysis of native ADC mimic.

Conclusions

SEC/MS and HIC/UV can be effectively used to characterize the DAR profile of ADCs. The mobile phase ensured a non-denaturing, MS compatible condition that was successfully used with the TSKgel SuperSW3000 SEC column to elucidate the molecular weight of the ADC species present in the drug mimic by high resolution ESI-MS detection; SEC/MS analysis indicated that the average DAR was 3.9. HIC/UV using a TSKgel Butyl-NPR column further confirmed the DAR profile by probing the hydrophobic character of the various antibody-payload combinations present in the sample. An average DAR of 3.9 was verified via HIC/UV analysis.

Data Contributed by MilliporeSigma

Cory E. Muraco*, Kevin Ray^†, Gary Oden*, and Dave Bell*

*MilliporeSigma, 595 North Harrison Rd., Bellefonte, PA 16823

^†MilliporeSigma, 2909 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103

Tosoh Bioscience and TSKgel are registered trademarks of Tosoh Corporation. MILLIPORE SIGMA is a trademark of MERCK KGAA.

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