Analytical Tools for HCP Detection, Identification, and Quantitation

Methods Mol Biol. 2025:2853:235-248. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4104-0_15.

Abstract

Identifying and quantifying host cell proteins (HCPs) are crucial in developing and manufacturing biopharmaceutical products. ELISA has been used widely for identifying and quantifying HCPs in biopharmaceutical products. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has recently emerged as an orthogonal tool for HCP analysis, providing comprehensive and quantitative information on individual HCPs. This chapter explores the advancements in LC-MS/MS methodologies for HCP analysis, including sample preparation, data acquisition modes, and data analysis strategies. It also discusses the challenges of HCP identification and quantitation, and recent innovations to overcome these limitations. The application of LC-MS/MS methods in HCP profiling holds significant promise for improving process control and ensuring product safety in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Keywords: Biopharmaceutical manufacturing; Data acquisition modes; Data analysis strategies; Host cell proteins; LC-MS/MS; Sample preparation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Products / analysis
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Humans
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry* / methods

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Biological Products