Development of an ICP-MS/MS approach for absolute quantification and determination of phosphodiester to phosphorothioate ratio in therapeutic oligonucleotides

Abstract

A new analytical method based on ICP-MS/MS is proposed for the characterization of synthetic phosphorothioate oligonucleotides. Absolute quantification of oligonucleotides is challenging, as well as the determination of phosphodiester to phosphorothioate ratio for phosphorothioate oligonucleotides. Both are considered as critical quality attributes and should be determined using robust validated methods. The method we developed was designed to be easy to apply, fast, and robust. It allows simultaneous absolute quantification of an oligonucleotide (based on the quantification of phosphorus), determination of the phosphodiester to phosphorothioate ratio (based on the quantification of phosphorus and sulfur) and optionally determination of sodium (or any other metal) as a counter ion. The performance of the method was demonstrated on O,O-diethyl thiophosphate potassium salt, a well characterized model substance that possesses similar composition to phosphorothioate oligonucleotides. Method was also tested on different synthetic phophorothioate oligonucleotides, showing excellent accuracy and precision.

Keywords: Absolute quantification; ICP-MS/MS; Mass spectrometry; Oligonucleotide; Phosphorothioate.