Optimizing Bevacizumab: A Comprehensive Review On Formulation, Stability, And Storage Conditions
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Abstract
Bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of various cancers and ophthalmic conditions. Despite its clinical significance, Bevacizumab's complex protein structure presents formidable challenges regarding formulation stability and storage. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting the physicochemical and biological stability of Bevacizumab, as well as formulation optimization strategies to maintain its therapeutic efficacy.
The antibody is highly sensitive to environmental stressors, including temperature fluctuations, pH changes, mechanical agitation, and light exposure, leading to degradation pathways such as aggregation, denaturation, oxidation, and deamidation. These degradation mechanisms compromise bioactivity and increase immunogenicity. To combat these effects, excipients like polysorbate 80, trehalose, and phosphate buffers are employed to stabilize the formulation. Lyophilized formulations have demonstrated enhanced shelf-life and robustness compared to liquid preparations.
Storage plays a crucial role in product integrity, with standard recommendations emphasizing 2–8°C refrigeration, protection from light, and avoidance of freeze–thaw cycles. In real-world clinical practice, particularly in low-resource settings, maintaining the cold chain poses a significant challenge. Additional complexity arises during off-label intravitreal use, where repackaging into prefilled syringes requires validated protocols to preserve sterility and stability.
This review also explores comparative studies of biosimilars, advanced analytical techniques (HPLC, SEC, DLS), and regulatory guidelines (ICH, WHO, FDA) for stability assessment. Overall, the findings underscore the need for meticulous formulation design and strict storage compliance to ensure the consistent quality and safety of Bevacizumab throughout its lifecycle. The insights presented herein are expected to guide clinicians, pharmacists, and formulation scientists in improving handling practices and therapeutic outcomes.
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