Administration Route Dependency of Distribution of Distribution pf PEGylated Recombinant Human Tumor Necrosis Factor Binding Protein (rhTNFbp-PEG20K dimer) following i.v. and s.c. Injection

Administration route dependency on the distribution of PEGylated recombinant human turor necrosis factor binding protein (rhTNFbp-PEG20K dimer) was observed following a subcutaneous (sc) and an intravenous (iv) administrationin rats. ehTNFbp-PEG20K dimer is composed of two rhTNGbp molecules (molecular weight 18, 278 daltons each) joined by polyethylene glycol 2000(PEG30K). The steady state distribution volume of rhTNFbp-PEG20K was 55 m/kg and 359 ml/kg following the i.v. and s.c. administrations, respectively. These results suggest that the distribution of ehTNFbp-PEG20K is limited within the cpillary space after i.v. administration, while rhTNFbp-PEG20K can distribute into a space (35.9% of body weight) which is between extracellylar space and total body water. A lymphatic absorption may paly a role in the distribution of rhTNFbp-PEF20K dimer following the sc administration. The present study suggests that the administration route of a lartge protein molecule should be determined depedning upon target sites.