Comparison of the lateral tail vein and the retro-orbital venous sinus routes of antibody administration in pharmacokinetic studies.

In pharmacokinetic studies, intravenous (i.v.) administration of antibodies to mice is usually done via the lateral tail vein. This approach can cause stress to the mice and has a high rate of failure because it is challenging to perform correctly. Administration via the retro-orbital venous sinus has been suggested as a good alternative to tail vein i.v. administration of antibodies. Evidence is still needed, however, to determine whether the route of administration has an effect on the absorption or the pharmacokinetic activity of the injected antibody. The authors compared serum concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters of a therapeutic antibody administered via tail vein injection or via retro-orbital injection. The findings suggest that there is no difference in the absorption or pharmacokinetic activity of therapeutic antibodies when administered via the lateral tail vein versus the retro-orbital venous sinus.