Hybridoma stability.
Hybridoma stability issues include mutations, chromosome losses, and the potential effects of process variables on the yield, quality and homogeneity of the Monoclonal Antibody (MAb) product. MAb production by murine hybridomas is typically unstable in the early stages after fusion but repeated cloning normally produces stable clones. The stability of hybridomas and the consistency of the MAbs produced during extended high density perfusion cultures at Xoma Corporation were evaluated. Cell stability was assessed by recovering cells from the bioreactors at different intervals and comparing their growth and product formation kinetics and yields to those of cells started fresh from the corresponding Manufacturer's Working Cell Banks. Product consistency was evaluated in the crude harvests and in the corresponding purified MAb lots by biochemical and functionality tests including: SDS-PAGE (reducing and non-reducing), IEF, HPLC (size exclusion and cation exchange), peptide mapping, N-terminal sequencing, carbohydrate composition and binding assays. Several murine hybridomas were studied during runs lasting several months and found to be stable by all criteria employed. Such results support the viability of extended hollow fiber perfusion cultures for reproducible production of murine MAbs. Selecting stable clones and understanding the effects of process variables on the quantity and quality of the MAbs are keys to controlling hybridoma stability during the manufacturing process.