LC-MS/MS Antibody Detection Framework Peptides

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ELISA methods for detecting and quantifying human or humanized antibodies in biological samples are labor-intensive, require custom reagents, and are prone to matrix interference and cross-reactivity, limiting their effectiveness and transferability to other laboratories.

Innovation Solution

A method involving affinity enrichment and protease digestion of biological samples using trypsin to produce unique peptides specific to human or humanized antibodies, followed by mass spectrometry for detection and quantification, which reduces matrix interference and eliminates the need for custom reagents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ELISA method is used for detecting and quantifying human or humanized antibodies, then the detection can be performed using binding properties, but the method requires custom reagents, is labor-intensive, and is prone to matrix interference and cross-reactivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection specificityVSAvoidassay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the biological binding-based detection system (ELISA) with a mass spectrometry-based detection system. Instead of using antibody-antigen binding properties to measure analyte concentration, the invention uses mass spectrometry to directly measure the intrinsic physical chemical properties (mass and fragmentation pattern) of the analyte, thereby eliminating the need for custom reagents and reducing matrix interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables the analyte (human or humanized antibody) to serve itself as the detection target through its intrinsic properties. By using framework region peptides that are unique to human antibodies, the method allows direct detection without requiring external custom reagents, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating reagent-related complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If ELISA method is used, then binding properties can be utilized for measurement, but the assay development time is long and transferability to other laboratories is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassay development timeVSAvoidlab-to-lab transferability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex biological binding system with a standardized mass spectrometry system that measures intrinsic physical properties. This substitution eliminates the need for lengthy assay optimization and custom reagent development, reducing assay development time while improving reliability through standardized measurement conditions that can be easily transferred between laboratories

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal detection method that can be applied to any human or humanized antibody by targeting conserved framework region peptides. This universal approach eliminates the need for custom reagent development for each specific antibody, reducing assay development time and enabling easy transferability across different laboratories

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If mass spectrometry is used for protein quantification, then custom reagents are not required and assay development is faster, but the method requires specific protease digestion and peptide analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassay development speedVSAvoidmethod complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by digesting the intact antibody protein into smaller peptide fragments using protease. This segmentation allows the mass spectrometry method to detect specific framework region peptides that are unique to human antibodies, enabling faster assay development while maintaining the ability to specifically identify and quantify the target antibody among complex biological samples

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach provides a robust, specific, and efficient method for detecting and quantifying human or humanized antibodies, reducing assay development time and improving lab-to-lab transferability by using mass spectrometry to directly measure the intrinsic properties of the antibodies.

Implementation Method 1

treating a biological sample with a digestive enzyme to form a digested antibody sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtease digestion: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

analyzing the digested antibody sample by mass spectrometry to detect one or more peptides present in human antibodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMass spectrometry:

Implementation Method 3

front-end gas phase ionization and introduction techniques such as electrospray ionization (ESI)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrospray ionization:

Data Source

PatentEP2707723B1Multiple reaction monitoring LC-ms/ms method to detect therapeutic antibodies in animal samples using framework signature pepides
Publication Date: 2016.02.10 GENENTECH INC
  • EP2707723B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2707723B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2707723B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Methods are disclosed to detect, characterize, measure, and quantitate human and humanized antibodies, and their conjugates, present in pre-clinical animal biological samples, including plasma/serum and tissue samples.