Effect of pneumatic tube transport on monoclonal antibody stability

BACKGROUND AND AIM  Pneumatic tube transport (PTT) is often used to conveniently transport drugs from the pharmacy to the clinical ward. Proteins like monoclonal antibodies are inherently sensitive to mechanical disruption. Despite their increased use, little data is available on the stability of monoclonal antibodies when they are transported via such systems. The effect of PTT on monoclonal antibody stability will be studied.

METHODS  Samples of ready-to-infuse preparations of monoclonal antibodies (bevacizumab, vedolizumab, cetuximab, trastuzumab, trastuzumab emtansine, pembrolizumab, rituximab, nivolumab, pertuzumab, infliximab, panitumumab and infliximab biosimilar) were taken before and after PTT. The structural stability of the antibodies was measured using size-exclusion chromatography with multiple angle laser light scattering. Before transportation, care was taken to remove all air from the infusion bags.

RESULTS  The mean duration of transport via pneumatic tube was 40 seconds. A total of 65 preparations with monoclonal antibodies in different concentrations was analysed. For all antibodies studied no significant difference was seen in antibody structural stability and protein aggregation between the sample before and after transportation with the pneumatic tube system.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION  Because of lack of data and the inherent fragility of protein drugs, most manufacturers advise against transporting monoclonal antibodies via a pneumatic tube. This study shows that real-life pneumatic tube transport does not affect the stability of prepared infusions of bevacizumab, vedolizumab, cetuximab, trastuzumab, trastuzumab emtansine, pembrolizumab, rituximab, nivolumab, pertuzumab, infliximab, panitumumab and infliximab biosimilar respectiverly.Our results show that for 12 commonly used Mab drugs  there was no significant effect of PTT on Mab structure and concentration, and that it is possible to use PTT to dispatch these delicate drugs to the clinical ward.