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Points to Consider in the Manufacture and Testing of Monoclonal Antibody Products for Human Use

FinalCenter for Biologics Evaluation and Research Center for Drug Evaluation and Research02/28/1997

Description

Points to Consider documents provide a flexible approach in which FDA provides and updates its guidance on regulatory issues in many areas of drug development. Such documents are particularly useful in the rapidly evolving field of biotechnology-derived drugs and other biologics. The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) set out to revise the "Points to Consider (PTC) in the Manufacture and Testing of Monoclonal Antibody Products for Human Use" with several objectives. An important goal was to facilitate initial development of monoclonal antibodies for serious or life threatening indications.  Additionally, it was felt that some of the information in the 1994 document required updating and streamlining. Finally, it was necessary to review this document for consistency with current CBER policy and with International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) documents dealing with this category of products. This updated document supersedes the 1994 version, and is designed to assist sponsors and investigators regarding monoclonal antibody (mAb) product development, including information to submit when filing Investigational New Drug Applications ("INDs") and License Applications.  Although this document does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public, it does represent the agency’s current thinking on monoclonal antibody products for human use.

Scope & Applicability

Product Classes

10
Monoclonal Antibody Products

Testing recommendations for antibodies with product contact

radiolabeled anti-tumor mAb

expected radiation dose to a target organ

Fab fragment

structure of the antibody (e.g., whole mAb, Fab fragment)

radioimmunotherapeutic mAb

Initial studies of radioimmunotherapeutic mAb should employ escalating single-doses

radiolabeled mAb

Such models can provide information on specific targeting of desired cells, especially with radiolabeled mAb.

purified bulk

tested to confirm contaminant removal

CHO cell lines

CHO cell lines express defective retrovirus particles.

Murine hybridomas

Retrovirus testing is not required for murine hybridomas.

Anti-idiotype vaccines

Specific issues to be addressed for Ab2 vaccines

Immunoconjugates

Monoclonal antibodies conjugated with toxins, drugs, or radionuclides.; In the case of immunoconjugates of any type, intact conjugate should be distinguished from free mAb.

Stakeholders

4
Manufacturers

Responsible for declaring acceptable market names on labels.

Healthy volunteers

Possible to conduct the FIH trial in healthy volunteers

Sponsors

Assist sponsors in the nonclinical evaluation

Sponsor

Entity responsible for submitting applications under section 524B

Regulatory Context

Attributes

10
Dosimetry

Dosimetry estimates for radiolabeled antibodies.

Dosimetry estimates

Calculations considering specific organs like liver, spleen, and kidney

Karnofsky score

patients should have a Karnofsky score greater than 70

shelf life

Information recommended for inclusion in the notification

absorbed dose

mathematical equations used to derive the estimates

radiation dose

mathematical equations used to derive the estimates

antigen mass

antigen mass is likely to alter the bioavailability of the mAb

Cmax

Cmax may be more informative for safety

Tmax

time to reach peak exposure

AUC

AUC or Cmin may correlate with efficacy

Identified Hazards

Hazards

7
Transmissible spongiform encephalopaties

steps taken to prevent or control contamination by... transmissible spongiform encephalopaties (TSE) agents

Murine viruses

Viruses such as Ectromelia, Hantaan virus, and LCM virus tested in Appendix II

potential toxicity

potential toxicity should be described based on radiation exposure

Safety hazards

Risks arising from unverified design changes late in the cycle

Creutzfeld-Jakob disease

Cells from patients who are known to have developed Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) should not be used.

Retrovirus

Retrovirus testing of cell lines: Retrovirus contamination of cells from different species varies.

Adventitious viruses

Screening for adventitious viruses (other than retroviruses) should include routine in vivo and in vitro tests

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See Also (8)

Points to Consider in the Manufacture and Testing of Monoclonal Antibody Products for Human Use | Guideline Explorer | BioRegHub