When Good Goes Awry: The Aggregation of Protein Therapeutics

Abstract

Protein therapeutics are playing an increasingly important role in treatment of a variety of human diseases. However, like the rest of proteins, they are susceptible to aggregation. Aggregation of proteinaceous pharmaceuticals can cause a loss of efficacy and, potentially, cytotoxicity and an immunogenic response. This review describes various ways protein therapeutics aggregate and a variety of approaches taken to prevent or minimize this process.

Keywords: Aggregation; antibodies; delivery; formulation; glucagon; insulin; storage.